Honoring the Saints: Celebrating Feast Days on July 4th

As those of us in the United States gather to commemorate Independence Day, let’s also remember and honor the lives of the saints whose feast days coincide with this American holiday.

Here are the saints that the Catholic Church venerates on the 4th of July, along with a brief overview of each one’s life and legacy.

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal (1271 – 1336): Known for her life of prayer and penance, Elizabeth was a queen devoted to serving the poor and resolving disputes. Married to King Denis of Portugal, she used her influence to promote peace and was often called upon to intervene in conflicts, even after her husband’s death. She was canonized in 1625 and is often invoked as a patroness of peaceful solutions.

A portrait of St. Elizabeth of Portugal

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901 – 1925): A lay Dominican and avid mountain climber, Frassati dedicated his short life to prayer, Eucharistic devotion, and caring for the poor in his home city of Turin, Italy. He died suddenly of polio at 24, and his reputation for holiness led to his beatification by Saint John Paul II in 1990, who called him the “Man of the Eight Beatitudes.”

Saint Ulric of Augsburg (890 – 973): Ulric served as Bishop of Augsburg in Germany and was known for his administrative skills and for establishing standards of discipline among the clergy. He also defended his city against Hungarian invaders and helped rebuild it after the attacks. In 993, he became the first individual officially canonized by a pope.

Saint Odo of Urgell (c. 1065 – 1122): A bishop in Catalonia, Spain, Odo was known for his dedication to his diocese and his defense of ecclesiastical independence. His negotiations with the local nobility ensured the Church’s rights and allowed it to serve the people more effectively.

Saint Bertha of Artois (c. 670 – 725): A noblewoman from the seventh century, Bertha used her wealth to found the Benedictine convent of Aire in France. She later joined the convent herself and served as its first abbess, leading her sisters in a life of prayer and charity.

Saint Finbar of Wexford (6th Century): A disciple of Saint David of Wales, Finbar spent much of his life as a hermit. Later, he founded a monastery in Wexford, Ireland, where he served as abbot and devoted his life to prayer and teaching.

As Americans celebrate the 4th of July, let’s also remember these holy men and women, whose lives of faith and dedication to service continue to inspire us. May their examples remind us of our call to live out our Catholic faith in service to God and our fellow human beings. Happy 4th of July, and happy feast day to these remarkable saints!