The Catholic Church celebrates many patron saints each month, but you don’t have to be Catholic to be inspired by their stories. Here are some of the most prominent saints honored during October feast days.
5 Saints to Learn About for October Feast Days
While dozens of saints are honored throughout October Catholic feast days, a select few stand out for their powerful stories, lasting influence, and the impact they've had on people around the world.
Saint Francis of Assisi – October 4
Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of Italy, animals, and stowaways. He's often pictured as a gentle, nature-loving figure who spoke to animals. One famous legend tells how he convinced a wolf to stop attacking a village in exchange for food from the townspeople.
Francis chose poverty as a way of life and had a deep love for all of creation. He’s admired across many religions and is often called the world’s most beloved saint. In the United States, many Episcopal churches bless pets on the Sunday closest to his feast day, October 4.
Saint Teresa of Ávila – October 15
Born in 1515 to a noble Spanish family with Jewish roots, Saint Teresa joined the Carmelite convent, seeking a life of prayer and sacrifice. Her father, a wealthy wool merchant, was disappointed by the decision as he expected her to marry well and lead a respectable, quiet life in line with her noble status.
Teresa later founded the Discalced Carmelite order and became known for her deep spirituality, reform efforts, and mystical writings. She is one of the most prominent female patron saints and represents those who suffer from headaches.
Margaret Mary Alacoque – October 16
Born in 1647, Margaret suffered from rheumatic fever as a child and was bedridden for four years. With little else to do, she spent that time in prayer and spiritual reflection. She promised that if she recovered, she would dedicate her life to God. At age 24, she joined a convent, despite her family’s disapproval.
Known for her mystical visions of Christ and her promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart, Margaret is the patron saint of polio sufferers and those who have lost their parents.
Saint Luke the Evangelist – October 18
Saint Luke is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, making him the largest contributor to the New Testament. Although he never met Jesus, Luke, believed to be a Greek physician or possibly Jewish, traveled with Paul and chronicled the early Christian church.
Saint Luke is believed to have been hanged for preaching the gospel, and many Christian denominations honor him as a martyr for the faith. He is the patron saint of physicians, butchers, surgeons, as well as painters and artists. He is believed to be the first Christian icon painter, often credited with painting an icon of the Virgin Mary.
Mother Laura Montoya – October 21
Mother Laura Montoya, Colombia’s first saint, was born in 1874 and canonized in 2013 by Pope Francis. After losing her father in the Colombian Civil War, she turned to prayer and scripture during a lonely childhood. She later became a missionary among Indigenous communities, where she founded the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Immaculate Mary and Saint Catherine of Siena.
Known for her deep respect for Indigenous cultures, she is the patron saint of those who suffer from racial discrimination. Her work continues today through her congregation, which now serves in 21 countries.
Other Saints With October Feast Days
In addition to the five above, the Church also honors many other saints in October. Each one offers their own powerful example of faith and dedication.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux – October 1
Known as “The Little Flower,” Thérèse is the patron saint of missionaries, florists, and the sick. She is beloved for her “little way” of doing small things with great love.
Saint Leodegar – October 2
Saint Leodegar is the patron saint of millers and blind people. He was known for his courage in standing up to corrupt political forces and, like several other saints for the month of October, was eventually martyred.
Saint Bruno – October 6
Bruno is remembered for his deep commitment to a life of silence, solitude, and prayer. He is the patron saint of monastic life.
Saint Denis and Companions – October 9
Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, was martyred for preaching Christianity in Roman-occupied Gaul. He is the patron saint of France and headache sufferers, and is famously depicted carrying his own severed head.
Saint John XXIII – October 11
Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council, which brought major updates to the Catholic Church in the 1960s. He is the patron saint of papal delegates and Christian unity.
Saint Callistus I – October 14
Once a slave, Callistus rose to become pope and defended the forgiveness of serious sins. He is the patron saint of cemetery workers, reflecting his early role as caretaker of the Christian catacombs.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch – October 17
An early Church Father and bishop, Ignatius is known for his letters on Christian theology and his courage in martyrdom. He is the patron saint of the Church in the eastern Mediterranean.
Saint Isaac Jogues and Companions – October 19
These missionaries were martyred while evangelizing among Native American tribes in North America. They are patron saints of Canada and missionaries to Indigenous peoples.
Saint John Paul II – October 22
One of the most beloved modern popes, John Paul II traveled the world spreading a message of peace, hope, and human dignity. He is the patron saint of World Youth Day.
Saint Anthony Mary Claret – October 24
Anthony Claret worked tirelessly for education and social justice in Spain and Cuba. He is the patron saint of textile merchants and the Catholic press.
Saint Simon and Jude – October 28
Two of the twelve apostles, Simon and Jude are honored together for their missionary work. Jude is especially known as the patron saint of hopeless causes.
Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez – October 30
Alphonsus served for decades at a college in Majorca. He is the patron saint of those facing hardship later in life.
Learn More About Catholic Feast Days in October
As you learn about these saints celebrated with October feast days, you see that each lived with courage, humility, and purpose. Whether through writing, healing, preaching, or defending the vulnerable, they offer powerful examples of how to live a life of meaning.
If you feel inspired by the lives of these saints and want to serve your community in your own unique way, get ordained through the Universal Life Church.
