Melanie Rigney

To the world, St. Bernadette Soubirous didn’t seem like anyone special. But Bernadette proved her faith with her unwavering witness under intense questioning by civil and clerical authorities.

You may never have heard of Sister Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart (1877-1952), and that’s likely the way this Indian saint wanted it.

She was a big deal—until she wasn’t. Joan of Arc (about 1412-1431) heard voices of saints from an early age. Eventually Joan was burned at the stake as a witch and heretic.

Leopold Mandić (1866-1942) wanted to reunite Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians, and became a Capuchin friar as a step toward that desire.

Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962) had it all—a loving husband, three children, a fulfilling career as a pediatrician. What mattered more than any of those earthly joys was her faith.