Why We Chose these House Saints
The House System groups all the members of the school under six spectacular saints. We chose these saints because each of them, living in very different circumstances, shows how the Holy Spirit makes saints of everyone who receives the grace of Baptism and lives it fruitfully. Looking at their lives, we can learn from them creative ways to love God and our neighbor. Inspired by them, we hope to become saints ourselves.
The Six Patron Saints of the Houses
Six different nationalities, speaking more than six languages.
Five were not yet saints when John Paul II became Pope.
Four were virgins.
Three were martyrs.
Two were married.
One was already a saint when John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla.
St. Dominic de Guzman
Feast Day: August 8
Nation: Spanish, lived in France and Italy
Dates: 1170 – 1221
Age at Death: 51
Vocation: Priest
Work: Preacher of Rosary, Founder of Order of Preachers
“First”: Dominican
Course Patron: History
Quote: “Fortiter, fratres! More boldly, my brothers!”
Lesson for Life: Living always in God’s presence makes a person very joyful.
St. Lorenzo Ruiz
Feast Day: Sept 28
Nation: Filipino, Oceania
Dates: ca. 1600-1639
Age at death: 39
Vocation: Husband
Work: Calligrapher, Mariner, Catechist
“First”: Filipino martyr
Course Patron: Calligraphy; Physics
Quote: “If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all for Jesus Christ.”
Lesson for Life: He embraced death heroically because he had lived faithfully.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Feast Day: April 17 (Canada); July 14 (USA)
Nation: Mohawk, North America
Dates: 1656-1680
Age at Death: 21
Vocation: Virgin
Work: Catechist
“First”: Native American
Course Patron: Environmental Science; American History
Quote: “Who will tell me God’s will, so that I may do it?”
Lesson for Life: Christ never disappoints. Christ satisfies every human longing.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio
Feast Day: February 10
Nation: Mexican; Central America
Dates: 1913-1928
Age at Death: 14
Vocation: Christian teen
Work: Altar server, Cristero
Course Patron: Spanish
Quote: “I will never give in. ¡Viva Cristo Rey!”
Lesson for Life: Love of God is preferred over any other love: family, country, etc.
St. Maximilian Kolbe
Feast Day: August 14
Nation: Polish; Eastern Europe
Dates: 1894-1941
Age at Death: 47
Vocation: Priest
Work: Founder of Militia of the Immaculata; Publisher
“First”: Martyr of charity
Course Patron: Ethics and Culture Seminar; Journalism; Digital Media
Quote: “I am a Catholic priest. Let me take his place.”
Lesson for Life: True manly strength came from his devotion to Mary Immaculate. Faith showed his enemies the dignity of the prisoners.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla
Feast Day: April 28
Nation: Italian; Western Europe
Dates: 1922-1962
Age at Death: 39
Vocation: Wife; Mother of 4
Work: Physician
Course Patron: Science; Vocations; Bioethics
Quote: “Whatever God wills.”
Lesson for Life: Love conquers death.
One student asked, “How do we get put in Houses? I want to be in Joselito’s.” Of course he does. Why would he not? Every 14-year-old Mexican boy’s heart swells with holy pride hearing Jose’s defiant shout of faith and praise, “¡Que viva Cristo Rey!” But we don’t choose the saints; they choose us! As students, teachers and families spend time in their own Houses, they will discover many new connections with that saint.
Jesus said, “I came to ignite a fire; how I long to see it blazing!” The House Saints give us six ways to encounter Christ, the blazing Splendor of Truth.