Our Patron Saints

The main patrons of A Simple House are St. Francis of Assisi and St. Alphonsus Liguori. A Simple House is dedicated to observing Franciscan poverty with an Alphonsian love for the poorest of the poor. As new houses were opened, additional patron saints were assigned to each house.

The House of Sts. Francis and Alphonsus

St. Francis (1182-1226) 

St. Francis was born in 1182 to a middle class merchant family. His upbringing was full of leisure, and he notoriously over-indulged. Pursuing glory and adventure, he became a knight. In a trip to court, Francis was granted a vision which showed armor marked with the cross, and a voice said, “These are for you and your soldiers.” Francis became excited that God was promising him great military success. God corrected Francis’s interpretation with another illness, a repeat of the vision, and marching orders to return home. 

Following this wake-up call, St. Francis fell deeply in love with God. His love for God expressed itself as a deep longing for poverty and he began to associate with the most outcast of his age, the lepers. Everyone thought he had gone mad. His former friends threw mud and rocks at him, and his father beat, bound, and imprisoned him. In a public display, Francis stripped naked on the steps of the Cathedral, and handed his father the clothes.

​Thus, Francis declared himself entirely for God. St. Francis was very suspicious of book learning as a road to holiness, and he held strongly to the conviction that radical poverty was a school of sanctity and grace. He is an example to all who wish to dedicate themselves completely to charity and preaching the Gospel while trusting in providence for all necessities. 

Suggested Readings:  ​
St. Bonaventure. The Life of St. Francis of Assisi, Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.: Rockford, IL 1988. Brown, Raphael.
​The Little Flowers of Saint Francis, Image Books: New York, NY 1458.

St. Alphonsus (1696-1787) ​

St. Alphonsus was born near Naples, Italy in 1696. He was raised with high expectations in a noble family, and began a successful career in law. However, his worldly surroundings made it more and more difficult for him to grow in a proper relationship with the Lord. Under these conditions, Alphonsus grew restless and started to be troubled by the constant nag and uncertainty of vocation. After losing his first case, Alphonsus retired from law at the old age of 26.

While visiting the Hospital for Incurables in August of 1723, he heard an interior voice which said: “Leave the world and give thyself to Me.” Alphonsus then made a solemn promise to follow the Lord in religious life. At the age of 30, Alphonsus was ordained a priest. During his early years as a priest, he did considerable missionary work and affected many people. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (The Redemptorists) in 1732. He did not begin writing books until he was 50 years old. Since then, he has become the most published author in the world (excluding sacred works). Most of St. Alphonsus’s writings are very practical and aimed at inspiring devotion to our Lord in all people.

In 1762, the Pope compelled Alphonsus to become Bishop of St. Agatha near Naples. During his time as bishop, St. Alphonsus reinvigorated the diocese and sold the church’s possessions to feed the poor during a famine. ​The end of St. Alphonsus’ life was marked by intense physical and mental suffering. His infirmity allowed his fellow Redemtorists to take advantage of him. They were reprimanded by the Pope, and all the Redemptorists living in the Kingdom of Naples were dismissed from the order, including their founder. During this time, Alphonsus suffered great temptations to every sin. Some have said that his soul entered a dark night. He died outside the order at the age of 90 never ceasing to praise and raise prayers to God.

 Suggested Readings:  ​
Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Alphonsus Ligouri
St. Alphonsus Ligouri, The Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ. Liguori Publications: Liguori, Missouri 1997.

The House of Sts. Stephen and James

St. Stephen (Martyred 35 A.D.)​

St. Stephen was one of the first seven deacons and the first Christian martyr. He was one of the seven men selected among the disciples to care for widows and the poor (Acts 6:1). He was not afraid to preach the Gospel amidst a crowd that falsely accused him of blasphemy. With great charity, fell to his knees and prayed for his persecutors as they stoned him, crying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” (Acts 7:59-60).

St. James (Martyred 62 A.D.)​

St. James was known for his prayer life and devotion to the poor. He was deeply convicted of the link between Christianity and charity. As the first Bishop of Jerusalem, he wrote, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27).

The House of the Three Theresas

St. Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897)​

St. Therese entered a convent at the age of 15 and died of tuberculosis at the age of 24. Her one book is a spiritual autobiography entitled The Story of a Soul. Her simple outlook dignified the smallest tasks with eternal significance and came to be called the 'little way.' She is one of the 33 doctors of the Church.

St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)​

St. Teresa lived during a time of corruption and drew people back to God by her books and her foundations of Carmelite nuns and friars. Her writings discussed prayer and the spiritual life in a comfortable, familiar, and approachable way. She inspired many people to pray with renewed vigor. She is one of the 33 doctors of the Church.

St. Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)​

St. Teresa reawakened and gave credibility to the idea of radical Christian discipleship in a world grown cynical and unimaginative. She is best known for her lively faith and her care for the poorest of the poor. St. Teresa took her name from St. Therese of Lisieux. She is popularly called Mother Teresa.

The House of St. Jude

St. Jude (Martyred 65 A.D.)​

St. Jude was the brother of St. James the Lesser and an Apostle of Christ.
He preached with unwavering faith and built up the early Church. His epistle stresses that the faithful should persevere in harsh, difficult, circumstances. After he died as a martyr, many pilgrims came to his grave to pray and many reported a powerful intercession. He is the patron saint for desperate causes.