Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Tuesday 26 November |
Saint of the Day: Bl. Marmaduke Bowes
Aleteia logo
Spirituality
separateurCreated with Sketch.

5 Saints who lived a “luminous life” despite their painful childhoods

Josephine Bakhita

Public Domain

Philip Kosloski - published on 09/23/18

These holy men and women persevered in the faith even after experiencing great difficulties during their youth.

Recently Pope Francis commented on the fourth commandment and the duty of children to honor their father and mother. He explained how this commandment focuses on the actions of children and their ability to honor their parents, regardless of how good or bad their parents are.

In fact, Pope Francis said, “Many saints, and many Christians, after a painful childhood, lived a luminous life, because, thanks to Jesus, they reconciled with life.”


POPE FRANCIS GENERAL AUDIENCE
Read more:
Scarred by your parents? Pope explains why you should still honor them

He went on to explain that our childhood wounds start to be healed when because of God’s gift of grace, we discover that the true question is no longer, “why me,” but rather, “for whom?”

The Holy Father mentioned five different saints who all struggled with that question and experienced great difficulties during their youth. However, they were able to orient their lives to God and ask themselves, “How can my experience, although it may have been sorrowful and painful, become, in the light of love, something for others? For whom (can it become) a source of salvation?”

Here are those five saints and what Pope Francis had to say about each of them.


ANNA KATHARINA EMMERICK'S HOUSE
Read more:
A peek at the childhood homes of 13 well-loved saints

Tags:
Saints
Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

2025-Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.