St. Teresa of Calcutta, better known as Mother Teresa, is famous for her work with the poorest of the poor in India. Many joined her mission, but she also recognized that not all are called to this kind of work, emphasizing the need to love those closest to us first: “Whatever you do for your family, your children, your husband, your wife, you do for God. All we do, our prayers, our work, our suffering, is for Jesus.” Celebrate St. Teresa of Calcutta’s Sept. 5 feast day by watching “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love.”
St. Peter Claver, whose feast day is Sept. 9, was a Spanish Jesuit priest who left his homeland for the Caribbean port of Cartagena in 1610 to minister to African slaves. He is known for tirelessly ministering to the enslaved people there, visiting the slave ships as they arrived in the port and offering the people food, medicine and spiritual consolation. He learned several African languages and baptized 300,000 slaves over his 40-year ministry. In his honor, learn about our local Knights of Peter Claver: Council 411 for men, and Court 411 for women.