St Augustine is the patron saint of printers, theologians and brewers. In his youth, he was a constant worry to his mother St Monica, who prayed and shed copious tears for his reformation. After his conversion, he became a devout and charitable man. He began a new life as a priest and went on to fulfil God’s plan for him to be a bishop. His powerful sermons and writings helped form Christian doctrines and influenced many western philosophers.

St Monica is well known for her relentless efforts and perseverance in prayer for the conversion of well known, St. Augustine. She is the patron saint of wives and abuse victims. Her feast day is on August 27th.

St Bartholomew is a first century saint. He was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and is attributed with the early spread of Christianity in places like India and Armenia. He is the patron saint of the Armenian apostolic church and tanners. His feast day is on August 24th.

St Rose is the patron saint of embroiderers, gardeners, florists, those who suffer ridicule for their piety and those who have family problems. From young, Rose wanted to enter a convent to become a nun and take a vow of chastity. But her parents wanted her to marry and refused to let her enter a convent, which led to her staying cloistered in her room to pray for long periods of time. She made a perpetual vow of virginity.

Born on 2 June 1835 in Italy, Giuseppe Melchiore Sarto was the 2nd of 10 children from a poor family. Sarto was simple and humble, yet firm and decisive. He was intelligent, with high moral character and showed great piety at a young age. Sarto was deemed most promising in the seminary. He was disciplined, did very well in his studies and had a good memory. Pope Pius X made changes to the Church’s liturgical and sacramental life. From catechesis to Bible study, and from Canon law to sacred art and music, it seemed like there was nothing that he did not influence or change. He encouraged the people to receive frequent or daily Holy Communion instead of only during the Easter Mass. He simplified The Liturgy of the Hours, which is the book of Psalms that priests and nuns pray every day. He also encouraged the use of Gregorian chants at Mass. Pope Pius X stayed humble and poor his entire life. Realizing that self-sacrifice was the basis of holiness, this belief is what saw him through his responsibilities all his life. He is the patron saint of First Communicants and pilgrims.

St Bernard of Clairvaux was born to noble parents but left all of the riches and luxury for the sake of studies of theology and Holy Scripture. He was responsible for many people joining the monastery. He is the patron saint of travelers, beekeepers and many more. His feast day is on August 20th.

St Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan friar who was martyred in the German death Camp of Auschwitz during World War II. He is the patron saint of drug addicts, prisoners, families, and the pro-life movement. His feast day is on August 14th.

St. Clare of Assisi is the patron saint of televisions, computer screens, sore eyes and embroidery. She was the first woman to write the monastic guidelines.

St Lawrence is responsible for the conversion of practically the whole of Rome, by his one act of humility of laying down his life for the sake of the poor and the gospel. He is the patron saint of Rome, the poor and many others. His feast day is on August 10th.

Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491. Together with some companions, he founded the Society of Jesus, more popularly known as the Jesuits. He conceived the Jesuits as 'contemplatives in action' and established many schools and colleges for boys. He is the patron saint of Catholic soldiers and educators.