SAINT AUGUSTINE
Before he became a prominent Christian philosopher (when did he convert?) and later, a saint, Augustine led quite a sinful life. The unmarried teen took a lover, which was bad enough, but the relationship’s result was frowned upon even more. The youngster maintained some faith during this time, and is famous for this humorous prayer.
SAINT BENEDICT JOSEPH LABRE
Frenchman Benedict Joseph Labre (where was he born, exactly?) was extremely devoted to his faith and helping those less fortunate than himself from quite a young age. As a teen he aided his uncle in caring for locals who were sick and consistently tried to join various Orders, despite being underage (which Order did he eventually join?). However, in doing so, Labre subsided almost entirely on donations from others, with a method that some consider a sin.
SAINT CALLIXTUS
Saint Callixtus of Rome lived a life of many sins before being taken under the wing of this second century pope. He embezzled money and started a public riot, amongst other criminal affairs, but left that all behind early in the third century when he reformed. Callixtus went on to become a pope himself (when?) but died a martyr shortly thereafter. His Roman catacombs can be toured today.
SAINT CAMILLUS OF LELLIS
Camillus de Lellis was born in Italy in the middle of the 16th century. A hot-tempered, troublesome child, he joined the army when he was 16 (with who?) though his aggressive behavior only grew after that. Years of sinful acts followed before his wholehearted reform in 1575. De Lellis went on to start his own religious Order (what’d they do?) before his death in 1614.
SAINT CYPRIAN
Saint Cyprian was born to wealthy pagan parents around the year 200. He converted to Christianity later in life (when was he baptized?), became a bishop and is celebrated today as an important early Christian writer. Cyprian faced criticism, however, for how he responded to a period of oppression and persecution. He died a martyr in 258 AD.
SAINT DISMAS
Saint Dismas isn’t a saint in the usual sense but rather a saint by local tradition instead. As the story goes, Dismas — more often called this — asked for Jesus Christ’s blessing before being crucified next to him. A clue to his past lies in Dismas’ patronage, for he is the patron saint of reformed thieves.
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Though he is one of the most respected and celebrated people in the history of Catholicism, Saint Francis of Assisi’s behavior as a youngster was not always so respectful. The patron saint of merchants (and of this European nation), born to rich parents (what’d his father do?) in the late second century, made the most of his family’s money and lived it up. A stint as a soldier and a period of illness are thought to have contributed to his spiritual reform.
SAINT GENESIUS
An actor and comedian, Saint Genesius of Rome naturally had quite a dramatic conversion to Christianity, as the story goes. Hired to play a role in a series of productions that didn’t exactly paint the religion in the best light, Genesius suddenly announced one day (where was he?) that he wanted to be baptized. Then-emperor Diocletian was furious and immediately called for his torture and beheading.
SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of this intellectual society within the Catholic Church, was one of the biggest religious leaders of the 16th century. He studied theology and Latin, wrote a set of Christian prayers and meditations and supported total obedience to the pope. The Spanish knight was apparently somewhat different in his younger years, however, and it took a serious war injury to help him reform.
SAINT MARGARET OF CORTONA
Saint Margaret of Cortona had quite the reputation when she was younger. The wild child ran away with a lover (thought to be who?) when she was still a teen and lived for years as his mistress, reforming only upon his death. For the rest of her life she lived in poverty and prayer, helping others who were in need (how so?).
Another so-called ‘loose woman’ was Saint Mary of Egypt. Born in the middle of the 4th century, the seductress ran away to Alexandria at the tender age of 12 and for years lived as a beggar, succumbing to every sexual temptation. Mary’s change of heart occurred following an ‘anti-pilgrimage’ to Jerusalem and she lived the remainder of her life alone in the desert.
MARY MAGDALENE
Saint Mary Magdalene may be considered the second most important woman in Christianity (who's first?), but, as the story goes, she did not start out a virgin as so many other saints (or, did she?). One of Jesus’ closest friends is probably a more accurate way to describe the woman, as she was present throughout his travels and at his crucifixion and resurrection as well.
SAINT OLGA
Saint Olga ruled the area of Kievan Rus (see it on a map) in the 10th century, following the death of her husband, Igor of Kiev. According to the history books, Olga was not someone you’d like to catch on a bad day. However, after years of sinful revenge, Olga converted to Christianity and worked hard to spread the religion throughout the rest of the country.
SAINT PAUL
Paul the Apostle was hugely influential to the spread of Christianity (how many books in the New Testament are attributed to him?). However, not only was he not an immediate follower of Jesus, he actually used violence to try to stop the early Christian movement. Paul’s conversion, which happened around 33-36 AD, is evident by his letters and the “Acts of the Apostles” book in the New Testament.
SAINT PELAGIA
The beautiful, teenage Saint Pelagia would have been every parent’s nightmare. As legend has it, she was a dancer and courtesan by her early teens. Pelagia’s conversion occurred all of a sudden, following a chance encounter with Saint Nonnus, the bishop of Edessa. The young girl was baptized, gave away her possessions to the poor and lived as a hermit for the rest of her life.
SAINT PETER
Saint Peter, or Simon Peter, was one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles. Despite being one of Jesus’ apostles, Peter is known for his struggle with verbalizing his support for Jesus following the Christian leader’s arrest. At his last meal, Jesus predicted Peter would turn his back on him three times and, lo and behold, he was right.
Saint Philip Howard, the 20th Earl of Arundel, was born into wealth (who was present at his baptism?) and really took advantage of the fact. Philip was a playboy who spent money on anything and everything he wanted until, one day, a debate at this famous London landmark changed him. He was so impressed by the Catholic priests who spoke that he gave up his previous way of life and converted to Catholicism.
SAINT THOMAS BECKET
Saint Thomas Becket had an extravagant life, to say the least. The Chancellor of England had his own navy, a fancy-schmancy wardrobe and anything money could buy. Despite his wealth, Thomas didn’t look out for those less fortunate than himself for years. Finally, when he became Archbishop of Canterbury he gave away all his possessions and focused on others instead of himself.
SAINT VLADIMIR
Saint Vladimir, the grandson of another saint (who?), converted to Christianity in 988 and is credited with helping to introduce the religion to Russia and the Ukraine. However, his conversion came after years of questionable behavior. Before his conversion, the Russian prince loved the power he had and all it enabled him to do.
