Featured Saints: The 36 Doctors of the Church

In our 2000-year history, we’ve had thousands of saints (we don’t know how many for sure because we only started keeping an official list in 933 AD).

Of those thousands, 36 are considered “doctors” because their teachings are considered valuable for Catholics of all time periods, not just the time period in which the doctor lived. The person in charge of naming a doctor is the Pope- a practice which started in 1298 AD. The last doctor to be named was St. Gregory of Narek in 2015.

ST. KATHERINE OF SIENNA

"Lord, when you fill my soul I have an even greater hunger, and I grow more famished for your light."

Lived from 1347-1380
Served as a Third Order Dominican (lay person who dedicates her life to service of God and neighbor, following the preaching emphasis of the Dominicans).
Many people sought her for spiritual advice, including Pope Gregory XI. Katherine is famous for exhorting the Pope to leave his residence in Avingon, France, and return to Rome.
Her most famous work, Dialogue of Divine Providence, tells of how we reach God: separation from sin, acts of love, and sweet affection toward Jesus.
Proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1970

ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX

"Love sets off the bounds of all vocations, that love is everything, that this same love embraces every time and every place."

Lived from 1873-1897
Her most famous work, Story of a Soul, is her autobiography recounting her path of falling in love with Jesus
Served as a nun in the Carmelite order in Lisieux, France
Dedicated her life to what she called the "Little Way"- finding and sharing Jesus's love in the ordinary events of everyday life
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1927

ST. EPHREM

"Lord, shed upon our darkened souls the brilliant light of your wisdom so that we may be enlightened and serve you with renewed purity."

Lived from A.D. 306-373
Served as a deacon in Edessa and Nisbe (Modern day Syria)
Lived a simple life similar to a hermit, but not completely: he preached and taught regularly about the faith
His most famous contribution is that of a spiritual poet: using poetry to express truths about the faith
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1920

ST. ROBERT BELLARMINE

"Whoever finds God finds everything, whoever loses God loses everything."

Lived from A.D. 1542-1521 in Italy
Served as a priest in the Jesuit Religious Order. Later as bishop of Capua and cardenal under Pope Clement III.
Taught the Catholic faith to both priests and laity; defended it against attacks by the Protestant reformers
His most popular works are "Brief Christian Doctrine", a book explaining the Catholic faith, and "Controversies", which explains the Catholic position on the sacraments and institutional church.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1931

ST. PETER CANISIUS

"I received a promise from you of a garment made of three parts: ..they were peace, love and perseverance. Protected by this garment of salvation, I was confident that I would lack nothing."

Lived from A.D. 1521-1597
Served in Germany to people who have left the Catholic faith during the Protestant Reformation
Guided people in cultivating a strong relationship with Jesus through public worship and individual devotion.
His most famous works are three different Catechisms, for varying ages of students. These Catechism we used in Germany to teach the faith for centuries after his death.
Proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1925

ST. BEDE THE VENERABLE

"We are making our way toward the light of our heavenly home with the grace of Christ leading us and showing us the way."

Lived from A.D. 673-735
Served as a Benedictine priest in present-day England
His most famous work, The Ecclesial History of the English People, tells how the gospel was shared throughout England.
Explained the Bible and other aspects of the faith by utilizing the teachings of the most famous theologians of the 1st-6th centuries.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1899

ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

"God wishes all to be Saints, and each one according to his state of life: the religious as a religious; the secular as a secular...the soldier as a soldier; and so of every other state of life."

Lived from 1696-1787
Served in Italy as a priest, founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and Bishop of Sant’Agata dei Goti (Italy)
His main work, "Moral Theology" explains how human beings are called to use our freedom and conscience to apply God's law and therefore reach our complete fulfillment.
Dedicated to serving and teaching the rural poor, who suffered from both material and spiritual poverty.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1871

ST. HILARY OF POITIERS

"God knows not how to be anything other than love, he knows not how to be anyone other than the Father. Those who love are not envious and the one who is the Father is so in his totality."

Lived from around A.D. 310-367
Served as a bishop in the city of Poitiers (in France)
His most famous work, De Tirinitate (on the Trinity) explains how Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God.
Preached against Arianism, a false belief that Jesus was a creature and therefore not equal to God the creator.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1851

ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

"Love is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in its practice."

Lived from A.D. 1090-1153
Served as a Cistercian monk in France
Worked to give a good example of the monastic life, living out humility and material poverty. Numerous new Cistercian monasteries were founded because of his example
His most famous writings are his sermons, letters, and theological commentaries. Of special fame are his "Sermons on the Song of Songs" and "De Consideratione", which is a letter to his former student, Bernardo Pignatelli (Eugenio III) on how to be a good Pope.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1830

ST. BONAVENTURE

"The good is said to be diffusive of itself; therefore the Most High Good is most highly diffusive of Itself."

Lived from A.D. 1218-1274
Served in the Franciscan Order, primarily as a professor of other Franciscans and later as the Minster General of the entire order.
His most famous work, "Life of St. Francis" was proclaimed by the Franciscan order in 1263 as the official biography of St. Francis of Assisi.
Taught about various aspects of the Christian life and God's goodness, particularly in his work "Journey of the Mind to God".
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1588

ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS

"The soul that walks in love neither tires others nor grows tired."

Lived from A.D. 1542-1591
Served as a priest in the Carmelite order, mostly in Spain
Worked to reform the Carmelites, which had grown spiritually lax and distracted by worldly priorities.
His most famous work, Dark Night of the Soul, describes God's process in purifying our souls., since our natural efforts can only take us so far.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1926

ST. LAWRENCE OF BRINDISI

"God truly listens to our prayers, even if we pray only with our hearts and minds. And that not only is he present and hears us, indeed he willingly and with the greatest of pleasure wishes to grant our requests"

Lived from A.D. 1559-1619
Served as a priest in the Capuchin religious order
His main works were his sermons that explained Catholic beliefs to people of all education levels
Traveled to numerous countries in Europe defending the Catholic faith against Protestantism - the accusation that Catholics teachings oppose the Bible.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1959

ST. GREGORY NAZIANZUS

"Be rich not only in possessions but also in piety; not only in gold but in virtue, or rather, in virtue alone."

Lived from A.D. 330-390
Served as a priest and later as bishop in Constantinople
Fought against Apollinarism, a false belief that Jesus didn't have a rational mind like we do.
His most famous work, "Theological Orations'', is a clear articulation of our beliefs about the Trinity. It earned him the nickname, "the theologian"
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1568

ST. LEO THE GREAT

"What is more kingly than to find yourself ruler over your body after having surrendered your soul to God?" And what is more priestly than to promise the Lord a pure conscience?"

Lived from A.D. 390-461
Served as Pope from A.D. 440-661
His most famous work, the "Tome to Flavin" taught that Jesus's human and divine natures existed inside of him without confusion or separation. The council of Chalcedon celebrated his teaching by stating, "Peter has spoken through Leo"
Taught the faithful that the liturgy (the public worship of God) was not simply the reminder of past events, but rather spiritual realities made present here and now.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1754

ST. ALBERT THE GREAT

"This sacrament [the Eucharist] produces love and union. It is characteristic of the greatest love to give itself as food."

Lived from A.D. 1206-1280
Served in the religious order of preachers (Dominicans) and as bishop of Regensburg (Germany)
Taught how the natural sciences (like astronomy and zoology) and philosophy (like Aristotle) aren't opposed to faith in God's revelation, but rather complement it.
Called the "universal doctor" because of his extensive knowledge in various different fields.
His most famous work of theology, "Commentary on Peter Lombard's Sentences", gives insights on Bible verses and builds on earlier saint commentaries
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1931

ST. GREGORY OF NAREK

"The soul's every movement is a reminder of God."

Lived from around A.D. 950-1005 in Armenia
Served as a priest in a monastery in Narek (Armenia)
Taught against the "Thondrakiani"- a sect that wanted the church to do away with the hierarchy, sacraments, and liturgy.
His most famous work, "The book of Lamentations" (also known as the "Book of Prayer") is a series of prayers proclaiming God's mercy despite our sinfulness. Considered a masterpiece of Armenian poetry.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 2015

ST. JOHN OF AVILA

"Even if there were no hell to fear, nor heaven to celebrate, nor commandments to obligate, the just man would still love God."

Lived from A.D. 1500-1569
Served as a priest in various regions of Spain
Famous preacher, especially encouraging priests to live more simply and humbly.
His most famous work, Audi Filia, is a reflection on how to love God by prioritizing him above everything else the world has to offer.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 2012

ST. JOHN DAMASCUS

"What we teach with words to those who hear, we teach with images to those who see. Images are the faith teaching book for those who can't read"

Lived from around 675-749 A.D.
Served as a priest in the monastery of Mar Seba, near Jerusalem
His most famous work, "Against Those Decrying Holy Images" (three volumes) is a defense of the practice using statutes and images as an aid to worship God.
His explanation of "dulia" (the honor we give to the saints) versus "latria" (the honor we give only to God) was cited in the second council of Nicea
Declared a Doctor of the Church in 1890

ST. ANSELM

"I long to understand in some degree your truth, which my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand."

Lived from 1033-1109 AD
Served as a Benedictine Monk (person who dedicates his life to prayer, work, and living with other monks in community), and named Bishop of Canterbury (England) in 1093
Renowned teacher both in France and England
His most famous work, the Proslogion, utilizes human experience, faith, and intuition to come to a deeper understanding of God.
Named Doctor of the Church in 1720

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA

"In vain does one teach Christian doctrine if he contradicts it with his actions."

Lived from 1195-1231 AD
Served as a preacher in Italy and Southern France
First theology teacher in the Franciscan order (a religious order dedicated to proclaiming the gospel and helping the poor). His teachings also converted people who held false beliefs about Jesus.
His most famous preachings, during Lent of 1231, spoke out against the greed and usury that was common at the time.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1946

ST. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA

"Enriched by Christ's peace, we will easily conserve the life of our soul and guide our minds to obtain the virtuous life."

Lived from 370-444 AD
Served as Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, from 412-444
His most famous teaching was on the unity of Jesus's divinity and humanity. Because of this unity, we can call Mary "Mother of God", and not just "Mother of Jesus"
His writings were the principal documents used in the Council of Ephesus in 431
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1882

ST. AMBROSE

"You can at the same time be here in this world and be present to the Lord."

Lived from 340-397 AD
Served as bishop of Milan from 374-397 AD
His preachings gave clear directions on how to apply the Old Testament to the Christian life
Protected the civil rights for the church against aggressors
Named Doctor of the Church in 1295

ST. BASIL THE GREAT

"You are going to leave your money behind you here whether you wish to or not. On the other hand, you will take with you to the Lord the honor that you have won through good works."

Lived around 329-379 AD
Preached and wrote against false beliefs about Jesus’s divine status
Considered “Father of Monasticism in the East” because his advice on how religious monks should live in community influenced future monasteries’ rules on common living
Named a Doctor of the Church in 1568

ST. AUGUSTINE

"We cannot love unless someone has loved us first."

"You are walking now by faith, still on pilgrimage in a mortal body"

Lived from 354-430 AD
Bishop of Hippo (city in north Africa) from 396-430 AD
His sermons and writings taught on wide variety of topics regarding the Catholic faith.
Called the “Doctor of Grace”, because his teachings on grace (God’s invisible presence here in our material world) have influenced all other Catholic teachers that came after him.
Named a Doctor of the Church in 1298

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT

"All who follow the good shepherd in simplicity of heart will feed on the green pastures of eternity."

Lived from 540-604 AD
Served as Pope from 590-604 AD
Taught about morality and Catholic beliefs
His most celebrated work is the “Pastoral Rule”, a book on how priests and bishops should conduct themselves. It was so popular that emperors for the next 300 years made sure their newly installed bishops were given a copy.
Named a doctor of the church in 1298 AD

ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM

"Strengthen your heart, then, by receiving this bread as the spiritual bread, and bring joy to the face of your soul."

Lived from 315-386 AD
Bishop of Jerusalem from 350-386 AD
Taught against false beliefs about Jesus
The most famous of his works is his “Catecheses”, a series of teachings for candidates of Baptism.
Named a Doctor of the Church in 1882

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

"To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers."
"Do you wish to honour the body of the Saviour? Do not despise it when it is naked. Do not honour it in church with silk vestments while outside it is naked and numb with cold."

Lived from 349-407 AD
Reformed both priests and clergy so they would live more humbly
Named bishop of Constantinople, exiled two times by jealous royal court
The patron saint of preachers, nicknamed, “golden mouth”
Named a Doctor of the Church in 1568

ST. ATHANASIUS

"Christ himself is present for those who thirst and in his goodness invites them to the feast"

Lived from 295-373 AD
Became bishop of Alexandria in 328 AD
Preached against the popular, false belief that Jesus wasn’t really God
Nicknamed the “Father of Orthodoxy” (orthodoxy refers to correct belief, literally “upright praise”)
Named a Doctor of the Church in 1298

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

“Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired”

Lived from 1225-1274
Commonly viewed as the greatest of all Catholic theologians (a theologian is someone who explains God’s revelation in an orderly way)
Belonged to the Dominican religious order from 1243-1274
His most famous work, the Summa Theologiae, is still commonly used among Catholics as a resource for understanding our faith
Named Doctor of the Church in 1567

ST. JEROME

"Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ."
"What sense does it make for the walls of our churches to be covered with pearls, while Christ dies of hunger in the poor?"

Lived from 340-420
Served as a priest and secretary to Pope Damascus
Lived a simple life, and the cave in Bethlehem where he worked (near the traditional site of Jesus's birth) is still a popular pilgrimage site.
His translation of the Bible, from the original Hebrew and Greek to Latin, became the standard translation for the Catholic Church for many centuries
Named a Doctor of the Church in 1298

ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE

"We must put into practice what we have learned in our course of study."
"Teaching unaided by God's grace may reach our ears, but will never reach our hearts."

Lived from 560-636 AD
Bishop of Seville, Spain, from 600-636 AD
Presided at local councils to teach correct beliefs about Jesus
Worked for political and religious unity after the king converted to Catholicism
Named a Doctor of the Church in 1722

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

1. "The practice of devotion to God must be adapted to each particular person's strength, occupation, and duties."

2. "Love is the act where our free will unites to the happiness and well-being of another."

Lived from 1567-1622
Served as bishop of Geneva from 1602-1622
His most famous work, Introduction to the Devout Life, still serves as a model on how to live the Christian life in the context of our daily responsibilities
The patron saint of writers and journalists, because his letters were very effective at strengthening the faithful.
Declared a Doctor of the church in 1877

ST. HILDEGARD OF BINGEN

"Grace rewards not only those who never slip, but also those who bend and fall."

Lived from 1089-1179
Served as a Benedictine nun in modern-day Germany as an abbess (meaning she was in charge of the other nuns in the convent)
Her writings about the faith are famous for their clarity and the captivating imagery she utilized
Her most famous works, Scivias and Liber Vitae Meritorum, speak of both the internal and external human senses contributing to the human experience of God.
Declared a Doctor of the Church in 2012

ST. PETER DAMIAN

"Those who do not love the cross of Christ do not love Christ."
"Those who do not love the cross of Christ do not love Christ."

Lived from AD 1007-1072
Lived most of his life as a monk in Italy (a monk is a person dedicated to prayer and community life)
Served as Bishop of Ostia, Italy, from 1057-1067. His main effort was to reform corruption in the clergy, especially bribery.
His writings focused on living a good Christian life, especially through following the cross of Jesus
Named a Doctor of the Church in 1828

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