10 Saints Kids Should Know
By Caitlin Bootsma
There are SO many saints. As adults, this is pretty awesome—there are a lot of saints to learn from, including saints we can relate to, and saints who are patrons every sort of circumstance. Yet, it can be hard to know where to start when introducing kids to the saints. If we want them to actually get to know saints, introducing them to an entire litany could be pretty overwhelming.
The following list suggests a few amazing men and women the kids in your care might want to get to know. However, to kick off this list, an initial suggestion is to introduce them to any saint they might be named after or that shares their name. In addition, look up which saints' feast days fall on the child's birthday and introduce them as well.
Here are a few saints who kids may be excited to learn about:
- The Virgin Mary: She is an easy one for kids to get attached to. After all, they already know their Mama from even before they were born. Introducing them to our Blessed Mother is the next step.
- St. Joseph: He's the strong silent type, but his actions will speak loudly for any kid, especially boys. He listened to God's call, protected his family and took care of a son who was not biologically his own.
- St. Francis of Assisi: While he has a lot of other great things going for him, St. Francis is best known by children for his love of animals. If they have a pet, St. Francis is great to pray with when they are sick or injured. His dramatic life as a soldier and the son of a rich merchant, who gives up everything to serve God, is also universally inspiring.
- St. Peter: St. Peter is not only the first Pope, he's a Pope who is really easy to relate to. He is headstrong, he doubts, and he isn't the most learned of men. But God works through him (in fact, builds the whole Church upon him), and he can work through your kids, too!
- St. Joan of Arc: Show me a girl who is not awed by St. Joan's courage. A young girl leading armies and willing to give her life out of love of the Lord—pretty inspiring stuff!
- St. Medard: If you haven't ever heard of him, you aren't alone. But this saint is the patron saint of thunderstorms because an eagle once protected him from a storm. So, if you have a kid who is afraid of storms, St. Medard is your man.
- Mother Teresa: Getting to know a modern-day saint is a great idea—because saints aren't just historical figures from long ago. Share your own memories of Mother Teresa—show them video clips, photos and more as an example of someone who went against society's expectations and cared radically for her neighbor.
- St. Thomas Aquinas: While the Summa Theologica might be above their head, understanding that our Catholic Faith is completely reasonable is an important lesson for their spiritual life. They can pray and ask for the intercession of St. Thomas before tests or other difficult school assignments.
- St. Therese of Lisieux: Children are drawn to heroes, but they should also know that all of us have the possibility of becoming saints. St. Therese didn't win a war, or live a life of extreme poverty, but in each little choice, she showed great love. Here's someone to befriend in our daily life and work!
- St. Anthony: Who could forget the patron saint of lost things? Whether it's a toy or a lost homework assignment, St. Anthony is a friend we can always count on when we lose something.
And last, but not least, don't forget to teach the kids in your care about the angels—the archangels as well as their own guardian angel. Angels help us know that we are never alone!
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