Someone Taught the Saints: The Unsung Heroes Behind Every Great Saint

Maria Cecilia Escobedo introduces the hidden heroes behind the saints: Catholic mothers who nurtured their children's faith and guided them toward holiness.

In the vast tapestry of the Catholic Church, the saints stand as shining beacons of faith, courage, and holiness. They are the ones we look up to, the ones whose lives inspire us to live out our faith with zeal and devotion. But behind every saint, there is a story that is often overlooked: a story of someone who guided them, nurtured their faith, and helped them become the holy men and women we revere today. That someone was often a mother, a teacher, or a mentor.  

We Catholic mothers can easily feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task before us. We are raising the next generation of believers in a world that often seems at odds with our values. We worry about whether we're doing enough, whether our children will grow up to be faithful, whether we're instilling in them the love of Christ that will carry them through the challenges of life. But when we look to the saints, we find comfort and encouragement in knowing that they, too, were shaped by ordinary people who took on the extraordinary task of nurturing their faith. 

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: A Family of Saints  

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, has a unique story: She came from a family where faith was deeply rooted. Her parents, Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, created a home where love for God was the foundation of everything. Zélie, in particular, played a significant role in shaping Thérèse's spiritual life. Though Zélie died when Thérèse was just four years old, the seeds of faith she planted in her daughter's heart continued to grow, ultimately leading Thérèse to embrace a life of profound love and simplicity in the Carmelite convent.  

The Martin family is a testament to the fact that sanctity often begins at home, in the small, everyday acts of love, prayer, and sacrifice. Louis and Zélie, through their example and their love, taught their children what it meant to live for God, and they raised not one but several daughters who became nuns and lived lives of holiness. 

Saint John Bosco: A Mother's Faith  

Saint John Bosco, the founder of the Salesians and a champion of youth, was also deeply influenced by his mother, Margherita Occhiena. Widowed when John was just two years old, Margherita worked tirelessly to provide for her family. Despite their poverty, she instilled in her children a strong faith and a deep trust in God's providence. She taught John to pray, to love the Eucharist, and to be generous with those in need. 

Margherita's influence on John Bosco was so profound that when he began his ministry with the poor and abandoned boys of Turin, he asked his mother to join him. She became known as "Mamma Margherita" to the boys, providing them with the same love and care she had given to her own children. John's work with youth transformed countless lives, but it all began with the lessons he learned at his mother's knee. 

Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Role of a Dedicated Teacher 

Saint Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest theologians and philosophers in Church history, was also shaped by the dedication of his early teachers, particularly his mother, Theodora. Theodora was committed to ensuring that Thomas received a strong foundation in both academics and faith. Even when his family opposed his decision to join the Dominican Order, his early formation gave him the strength and conviction to pursue his vocation. 

For mothers, Theodora’s story is an encouragement to persevere in your teaching, even when challenges arise. Your work in educating your children — both academically and spiritually — provides them with the tools they need to pursue their own vocations, whatever they may be. The hours you spend teaching and guiding them are not in vain; they are building blocks for their future holiness. 

These stories remind us that behind every saint, there is someone who played a crucial role in their spiritual formation. It is a reminder that the small, seemingly insignificant things we do as mothers — praying with our children, teaching them about the faith, encouraging them in their struggles — can have a profound impact.  

We may never know the full extent of that impact, but we can trust that God sees and uses our efforts, no matter how small they may seem.  

Dear Catholic mothers, take heart. Your work is sacred, and it matters. You are the ones who plant the seeds of faith, who nurture the souls of the saints-to-be. You may not see the fruits of your labor immediately, but trust that God is working through you. Your prayers, your love, your example — they are the foundation upon which great saints are built.  

Just as someone taught the saints, you are teaching the future saints of the Church. And that is a beautiful, holy, and worthy calling. 

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Copyright 2024 Maria Cecilia Escobedo
Images: Canva