Our Class Saints
Early Years: St Francis of Assisi
St Francis of Assisi is very close to our school as we are a member of the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Trust.
St Francis is known for his ministry to the poor and the sick, his care for nature and animals, and founding the Franciscan order.
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy."
St Francis of Assisi
Year 1 & 2: Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Mother Teresa is mostly known for her charitable work. She spent her entire life dedicated to helping others. One of her many charitable efforts was setting up an open-air school and a home for the dying destitute. Mother Teresa founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to the poor, particularly to those in India, that opened numerous centres serving the blind, the aged, and the disabled.
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Mother Teresa
Year 3 & 4: Sister Josephine Bakhita
Kidnapped by slave traders at the age of seven, St Josephine was given the name: Bakhita, which means "lucky". As a girl, Bakhita would look up at the moon and stars, resolving to serve their Master. Later in life, she devoted herself to promoting Catholic missions to Africa. She died in 1947 in Italy.
Josephine Bakhita's life is remarkable, and presents us with spiritual lessons, namely her profound trust in God, despite living in a hopeless situation.
"If I was to meet those slave raiders that abducted me and those who tortured me, I'd kneel down to them to kiss their hands, because, if it had not have been for them, I would not have become a Christian and religious woman."
Sister Josephine Bakhita
Year 5 & 6: St Thomas of Canterbury
St Thomas Becket, also known as St Thomas of Canterbury, served as Lord Chancellor from 1155 to 1162, and then notably as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his death in 1170. He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights of the Church and was murdered by followers of the King in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was canonised by Pope Alexander III. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Catholic Church and the Anglian Communion.
