5 Saint Feast Days in March Every Catholic Should Know
Each month, the Catholic calendar celebrates the feast days of several saints, each with their unique significance and stories. The feast days of these saints serve as moments of reflection, inspiration, and celebration for Catholics. These men and women offer believers opportunities for spiritual growth, communal fellowship, and gratitude for their examples. Here are 5 March feast days that every Catholic should know.
For full stories, pictures, and prayers of these holy men and women, check out the Saint of the Day feature on the Ascension App!
1. St. Katharine Drexel
Feast Day: March 3rd
St. Katharine Drexel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 26, 1858. Growing up in a devout Catholic family, Katharine had a strong sense of social responsibility and compassion for the less fortunate. Her parents modeled a life of service, regularly using their wealth to support various charitable causes. In 1887, during a trip to the Western United States with her family, Katharine noticed the poverty and deprivation experienced by Native Americans and African Americans.
This experience deeply affected her and led her to dedicate her life to serving marginalized communities. Katharine entered religious life and joined the Sisters of Mercy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament with the approval of Pope Leo XIII. Katharine used her considerable inheritance to fund the establishment of schools, missions, and institutions for struggling communities across the United States. Among her most notable achievements was the founding of Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, the first Catholic university in the United States for African Americans.
Her dedication to serving others earned her widespread admiration and respect. St. Katharine Drexel died in 1955 at the age of 96. In 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Katharine, making her the second American-born saint.
2. Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
Feast Day: March 7th
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity were early Christian martyrs who resided in the Roman province of Africa around 203 AD. Perpetua, a young noblewoman, and Felicity, her enslaved servant, both lived in Carthage (modern-day Tunisia). Despite their different social statuses, they shared a profound bond in their faith and dedication to Christianity.
Perpetua, a recent convert to Christianity, was arrested alongside Felicity and several other companions for steadfastly refusing to renounce their faith amid persecution under Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. Felicity, pregnant at the time of their arrest, faced added challenges. Roman law prohibited the execution of pregnant women, prompting Felicity to pray that she would not give birth before her martyrdom.
The account of their martyrdom, titled “The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity,” was written by Perpetua herself. It offers invaluable insight into the thoughts and experiences of early Christian martyrs. In 203 AD, Perpetua, Felicity, and their companions were led into the arena to confront wild animals as a public execution method. They were martyred, and their legacy has transformed their story into a symbol of Christian resilience and devotion.
3. St. Patrick
Feast Day: March 17th
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is widely celebrated for his missionary work and for bringing Christianity to Ireland. Born around the year 385 AD in Roman Britain, Patrick was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland. During his captivity, Patrick turned to Christianity for solace and strength. After six years of enslavement, he escaped and returned to his family.
Patrick later felt a strong calling to return to Ireland as a missionary, prompted by a vision he had. He studied to become a priest and was eventually ordained as a bishop. In the early 5th century, Patrick began his mission to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity, traveling extensively throughout the country. He used familiar symbols, such as the three-leaf clover, to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. One of the most famous legends associated with St. Patrick is that he banished all snakes from Ireland.
St. Patrick’s life and teachings played a significant role in shaping the Christian identity of Ireland. He is believed to have died in 461 AD. Catholics remember St. Patrick for his dedication to spreading the Gospel, his humility, and his tireless efforts to bring Christianity to the people of Ireland.
4. St. Joseph
Feast Day: March 19th
St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, holds a revered place in Christian tradition. Though his life is not extensively documented in the New Testament, he is depicted as a righteous, pure, and humble man who faithfully fulfilled his role in God’s plan. Joseph was a carpenter and a descendant of King David.
He lived in Nazareth and was betrothed to Mary when an angel appeared to him in a dream, revealing that Mary would conceive a child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph accepted this divine message and took Mary as his wife. He played a vital role in protecting and providing for Mary and Jesus, especially during the perilous journey to Bethlehem for the census and the flight into Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath. A loving and devoted guardian of the Holy Family, Joseph embodied qualities of compassion, patience, and faithfulness.
Though not much is known about Joseph’s later years, it is thought he died before Jesus began his public ministry. St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers, workers, carpenters, and the universal Church. St. Joseph’s humble yet pivotal role in the life of Jesus underscores the importance of quiet obedience and faithful service. Catholics turn to him as a model of fatherhood, righteousness, and unwavering trust in God’s providence.
5. St. Óscar Romero
Feast Day: March 24
St. Óscar Romero was a prominent figure in El Salvadoran history and the Catholic Church. Born in 1917 in Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador, Romero became a priest and later Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977. Initially, Romero was not politically active. Óscar’s views evolved over time as he witnessed the suffering and oppression endured by the poor and marginalized in El Salvador.
Following a close friend’s assassination, Romero became an outspoken critic of the government’s human rights abuses, calling for an end to violence and injustice in his country. Romero used his position as Archbishop to denounce government-sponsored violence and advocate for social justice and human rights. His weekly radio broadcasts, where he spoke out against violence and oppression, earned him both admiration and criticism.
On March 24, 1980, while celebrating Mass, a sniper shot Romero. His death shocked the world and sparked international outrage. The death squad that carried out Romero’s assassination was believed to be linked to El Salvador’s government. Romero’s martyrdom transformed him into a symbol of resistance against oppression and injustice. In 2018, Pope Francis canonized Óscar. St. Óscar Romero’s legacy inspires people worldwide to advocate for social change and stand up against oppression.
These holy men and women offer us beautiful examples of virtue and faith to follow. We can turn to them, seeking their intercession, as we strive to one day unite with them in communion with God.
For full stories, pictures, and prayers of these holy men and women, check out the Saint of the Day feature on the Ascension App!