Saints for Moms

(St. Gianna Molla - public domain)

Since it is All Saints and All Souls Day weekend, I thought it would be nice to introduce you to a few saints who were moms. 

Mary, the Mother of God is, of course, the obvious first saint to mention. Under her title, Our Lady of La Leche, she is very special to nursing moms. Then there is St. Anne, the grandmother of Jesus. She is not mentioned in Scripture but is mentioned in the apocrypha. Then there is St. Elizabeth, the mother of a John the Baptist. Her story can be found in the Gospels. Also, the story of St. Martha can be found in the Gospels. She is patroness of homemakers.

There are also many others from post New Testament times such as St. Monica, St. Felicity, St. Perpetua, St. Zita, St. Elizabeth Seton, St. Elizabeth of Portugal, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary (I guess if your name is Elizabeth, you have a good chance of becoming a saint!). 

What about about some more recent saints? 

Saint Zelie Martin is the mother of St. Therese of Lisieux. Her husband was also canonized a saint at the same time she was. One of her other daughters, Leonie, is a Servant of God. In total, Saint Zelie had nine children but four died in early childhood. All of her five living children - all daughters - entered religious life. Although canonized a saint, Saint Zelie experienced the same things we experience as moms - the tiredness, worries, and also joys of motherhood.

One of my favorites is St. Gianna Molla. She died in the 1960s. She was married and the mother of four children. She was also a physician, a ski enthusiast and loved fashion. She was diagnosed with cancer during her fourth pregnancy. She chose minimal treatment to protect her baby. Then she died just an week after her baby was born. I just find her so relatable.

Your life as a mom is your road to sainthood! Remember that! It is not just a detour along the way, but your actual path to holiness!

Written by Gina Peterson

Who is your favorite “mom” saint? Please leave a comment below. Thanks!