While looking for a list of 21st century Christian to use to write more profiles about I came across this list of 20 Christians written by Scott Wilson for Church Ministry ED . Scott has done my homework for me. Scott has written short notes, with a picture, about each of the 20 he chose. He gives his reasons for including 5 famous Christians who have already died because they continue to tribute and influence Christians today. I have added a word search ( with answer sheet) to his notes.

Saint Lucy was a Roman Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated at as a saint in Catholic, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The single fact upon which various accounts agree is that a disappointed suitor accused her of being a Christian which resulted in her being executed during the Diocletian Persecutions. Lucy is one of the best known virgin martyrs. Several pictures show her with eyes removed. She is said to have removed her eyes to discourage a persistent suitor from admiring them. When she died her eyes were some how miraculously restored. This is why Lucy is the patron saint for the blind. She is also the patron saint of the city of Syracuse (Sicily) St. Lucy’s day is celebrated especially in Scandinavian countries. Traditionally a young girl is dressed in a white dress with a red sash (as a symbol of martyrdom) and wears a crown or wreath of candles in her hair. Sources Britannica Wikipedia Saint Over 150 Patron Saints for Today edited by Elizabeth Hallam

Theresa of Lisieux born Marie Francoise- Therese Martin is the Patron saint for Missionaries. She is widely venerated in modern times. She is one of 4 sisters who became a Carmelite nun in the same convent. She was only 14 when she experienced her conversion. She entered the order at the unusual early age of 15. Aged 22 she became assistant to the novice mistress. She considered volunteering for missionary work in Hanoi ( now Vietnam) but contracted tuberculosis and died, aged 24, after 18 months of ’ heroic suffering’. She is now one of the most popular saints in the history of the church although she was obscure during her lifetime. The Story of a Soul - her autobiography. written on orders of her prioress and edited by her eldest sister Marie, was an immediate and sensational success. Her spiritual memoir explains her theology of the ’ Little Way.’ Theresa’s immense popularity and reputation for holiness resulted in her being quickly beatified (1923)and canonized(1925) by Pope Pius X1. In 1997 Pope John Paul 11 declared her a Doctor. of the Church. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today edited by Elizabeth Hallam

Wolfgang is regarded as one of the three great German saints of the 10th century. He was known as the Great Almoner. He was a gifted preacher, teacher, monk and bishop whose ability, learning and humility earned him the admiration of his contemporaries. He exercised a strong and valuable influence at the court of the Holy Roman emperors. He was the tutor to the future emperor Henry11. He was bishop of Regensburg in Bavaria from Christmas 972 until his death in 994. Here he improved standards of discipline and learning among the clergy and monasteries. Towards the end of his life he withdrew as a hermit to a solitary spot in the Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria. On his death a cult sprang up in Regensburg where many miracles of healing were recorded, notably of the stomach. He is the Patron saint for stomach pains. Wolfgang was canonized in 1052 by Pope Leo 1X. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today editor Elizabeth Hallam

Anthony -born Fernando Martins de Bulhoes, was raised by a wealthy family in Lisbon… He died in Padua ). He joined the Augustine canons at an early age. Aged 25 he joined the Franciscan friars. He adopted the name Anthony from the name of the chapel located there, dedicated to Anthony the Great. He was sent to work work among the Muslims in Morocco. Ill health forced to return within the year to Assisi. His exceptional teaching and preaching talents were then discovered. St. Francis of Assisi chose him to teach Theology to the friars at Padua and Bologna. in southern France. He then preached against the Albigensian heretics in Southern France. Between 1227-30 he ruled the Franciscan province in northern Italy. He then retired to Padua and Pope Gregory 1X commissioned him to write a series of sermons for Feast days He died at the age of just 35 in 1231. he was canonized the next year ( one of the most quickly canonized saints in church history). He is the patron saint of lost property The story is that a novice borrowed his written psalter without his permission and was compelled to return it by a terrifying apparition. During his lifetime he gained a major reputation as a worker of wonders and miracles. He was noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scriptures and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick. On 16th January 1946 Anthony was proclaimed a* Doctor of the Church* by Pope Pius X11. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today editor Elizabeth Hallam

Saint Genevieve was a consecrated virgin and is the patron saint of Paris in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. She was recognized as the patron saint of Paris in the 14th century. She was recognized for her religious devotion at a young age. Miracles and healings happened around her from an early age. Her prayers saved Paris from being destroyed by Attila the Hun in 451 and other wars. Her organisation of the city’s women was called a ‘prayer marathon’ and her ‘most famous feat’. She was involved with two major constructions - a basilica for Saint Denis of Paris in 475 and the basilica dedicated to the Holy Apostles Saint Peter and Paul around c500. Between 885 and 1791 Genevieve was publicaly invoked 153 times during emergencies, Genevieve performed miracles both before and after her death. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today Editor Elizabeth Hallam

Saint Vincent de Paul was an Occitan French Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor.I In 1601 he was ordained as a priest and became the chaplain at court for Henry 1V of France. He became the tutor for an aristocratic until he was accused of theft. He remained silent for 6 months until his innocence was proved. Conversion dated from this date. For the rest of his life he combined his working with the rich and fashionable and with looking after outcasts, the sick and poverty stricken, galley slaves and abandoned children. He founded the* Cgngregation of the Mission or the Vincentians. He was zealous in conducting retreats for clergy for when the local clergy’s .morals were flagging. He was a pioneer in seminary education. He founded the* Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent of Paul He was renown for his compassion, humility and generosity. He is the namesake of the Vincentian Family of organisations. Vincent was beatified in 1729 and canonized in 1737. In 1883 Pope Leo X11 named patron of all charitable societies. He is now venerated as a saint by both the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion. Note ‘occitan’ is a romance language spoken in Southern France Sources Wikipedia The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton *Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today * editor Elizabeth Hallam

Saint Brigid of Kildare or Saint Brigid of Ireland is the patroness saint (mother saint) of Ireland. She is one of the three national saints with Patrick and Columba. According to medieval Irish hagiographies she was the abbess who founded the important abbey of Kildare (Cill Dara). It is said that she was buried at the high altar of the original Kildare Cathedral and a tomb raised over her adorned with gems and precious stones and crowns of gold and silver. On February 1st Brigid Crosses are weaved ( see picture). In 2023 it became a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland.The feast is shared with Dar Lugdach who tradition says was her student, close companion and successor. (There is a debate whether Brigid was a real person- read the notes.) Source Wikipedia

They were sentenced to be hanged in 2009 for converting to Christianity in Iran. For 259 days they were held in the notorious prison EVIN where they were tortured and interrogated. Eventually the United Nations’ Amnesty International enabled their release. After gaining freedom they wrote** Captive in Iran** which detailed their experiences. Source Wikipedia

Letsie ll is the only Catholic sovereign of a non-European lineage anywhere in the world. He has been credited with having promoting the principles of the Catholic faith in Lesotho Source Wikipedia

For approximately 20 years he was an actor and broadcaster who specialized in theatrical story telling and performance poetry He wrote ’ The Street Bible’ . In 2004 it was the Book of the Year for the Christian Booksellers Convention Ltd (UK He takes you through the Bible in a very unconventional way. This fresh paraphrase- come-running commentary brings the text alive. Bible stories are retold as mini -blockbusters;psalms as song lyrics; epistles as emails. He unfortunately died of bladder cancer aged just 43 years of age Source Fly of the book

Meera, better known as Mirabai and venerated as Sant Meerabai, was a 16th century Hindu mystic poet and devotee of Krishna. Aged 3 she was given a little Mira, a doll of Sri Krishna, by a wandering religious man. She decided then to follow Sri Krishna for the rest of her life. She has been the subject of numerous folk tales and hagiographic l.egends. It is widely acknowledged that Mirabai dedicated her life to Krishna, composing song of devotion and was one of the most important poet-saint of the Bhakti movement period. Some Hindu temples are dedicated to her memory. Sources Wikipedia Herstory by Katherine Halligan

Saint Nicodemus is mentioned 3 times in St. John’s Gospel. He is not mentioned in the synoptic gospels of Matthew. Mark or Luke. He visits Jesus one night to discuss Jesus’ teaching. Here he is referred to as being a prominent leader among the Jews John ch 3 v 1. He is mentioned when Jesus faced the Sanhedrin. Here he is referred to as being a ruler and Pharisee. John ch 7 After Jesus’ crucifixion he provided the customary spices for anointing the dead when he assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial - John ch.19. H e was a Pharisee , a ruler and a member of the Sanhedrin. Although there is no explicit mention of him as a follower or disciple of Jesus in the New Testament he is considered to be a secret disciple of Jesus by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches based on the narrative of John ch 19.

Thomas was born at Ballylin, near Limerick, Ireland in 1730. Aged 19 he heard the true Gospel preached for the first time from a travelling Methodist preacher on the streets of Limerick on St Patrick’s day. After a period of terrible internal wrestling he experienced a mighty conversion. He soon joined the Methodists, He began to preach when he was only 20. He died at the young age of 28. In those 8 years he contributed greatly to the spread of Methodism in Ireland. The peasants flocked to hear their own but touching language. He went like a flame of fire preaching twice or thrice a day, usually in the open air. He became famous throughout the country. John Wesley in 1753 called him to London. He said I do not remember ever to have known such a preacher who in so few years as he remained on earth, was the instrument of converting so many people. He was a biblical linguist -especially in Hebrew and Greek Such a master of Biblical Knowledge never saw before and never expect to see again. John Wesley He burned the candle at both ends -through his preaching, intense study, habitual absorption and excessive labour that fatigue broke him down. He died with words of rapture on his lips - April 8th 1759 Sources Wikipedia iLimerick City Church

Thomas was an English Wesleyan Methodist preacher. He was converted by John Wesley on 1st May 1739 in Bristol. In March 1740 he travelled for a period with Charles Wesley, In 1742 John put him in charge of the Foundery Society directing him to pray with the members and give them suitable advice. He also began to preach ’ without being called to it’ so there were complaints. Countess of Huntindon was impressed with his talents. Wesley heard Thomas and decided the dispute in his favour. In June 1745 he was 'pressed ’ for the navy while preaching in Cornwall. He ended up being given over to the military and spent several years in the army. On his release John had him ordained at Bath, He became one of Wesley’s main assistants and an assistant chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon. Thomas was a divisive figure. He encouraged those who had visions. He adopted fellow minister George Bell’s prediction that the world would end on 28th February 1763. A schism became inevitable. Thomas in February told Wesley You take too much upon you .April 28th he broke from Wesley. Bell and about 200 left, Thomas set up his own church in Moorfield. A reunion was attempted but it never happened. (Read last 2 paragraphs) Thomas had a large congregation in Ropemaker’s Alley, Moorfield,. He finally set up in Princes Street. Moorfield. Wesley did visit Thomas in his last illness and preached in his chapel. Thomas died at his house in Moorfields on 18th March 1784.

Paul became the first bishop of the See of Leon and one of the 7 founder saints of Brittany.

Doug Anderson USA Meredith Andrew USA Onos Ariyo Nigeria Paul Alan USA Yolanda Adams USA A little bit of information about the 5 of them from Wikipedia.

The Feast of Corpus Christi is a special celebration of the Eucharist - the Lord’s Supper- remembering the Holy Body and Blood of Christ. It is liturgically celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday or*** where the Solemnity of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ is not a holy day of obligation, it is assigned to the Sunday after the Most Holy Trinity as its proper day.*** At the end of the Holy Mass there is a procession of the Blessed Sacrament generally displayed in a monstrance -an open or transparent receptacle in which the consecrated Host is displayed for veneration. Corpus Christi wreaths, which are made of flowers, are hung on the doors and windows of the faithful in addition to being erected in gardens and fields. The procession is followed by the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. In Rome the Eucharistic procession is presided over by the Pope. In Arundel, England, they have a central aisle of flower heads laid down in a colourful pattern. The institution of Corpus Christi as a feast in the Christian Calender resulted from approximately 40 years of work on the part of Juliana of Liege, a 13th century Norbertine canoness. Source Wikipedia

Joseph William Livesey was an English temperance campaigner, social reformer, local politician, writer, publisher, newspaper proprietor and philanthropist. He engaged energetically in local politics, filled many public posts and was a leader in every kind of philanthropic effort, especially identifying with the teetotal movement. He published a number of publications TheMoral Reformer(1833) which became the* Preston Temperance* (1834-8). This became the* British Temperance Advocate.* Moral Reformer (1838/9) revived. The Struggle(1841) Preston Guardian (1844-1859) established with his sons *Teetotal Progressionist * (1851/2) Staunch Teetotaller (1867-9)

John was an English Anglican, Baptist, then Mennonite minister and a defender of the principle of religious liberty. He attended Christ’s College, Cambridge where he became a fellow in 1594 and was ordained for ministry in the C of E the same year. He became a Puritan preacher, then a Separatist pastor, which led to exile in Amsterdam. He became a se-baptist (baptised himself)(c,1609) and set up the first Baptist church(1612) in Britain… He believed in believer’s baptism by immersion not infant baptism. In February 1610 he and other church members wrote to a Mennonite community in Waterland to join their movement. The group earned the name General Baptists because they claimed that Christ died for all men rather than for the elect only. See notes also on Mennonites. The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians Wikipedia