The life of a saint isn’t all halos and heavenly moments. Behind the scenes of virtue lies a journey marked by sacrifice, struggle, and the weight of high expectations. From resisting temptations to facing isolation, walking the saintly path is far from easy. But in these challenges, there’s a profound resilience and purpose that shapes those who pursue it. This article delves into the untold trials and triumphs of four modern day saints, revealing that holiness comes with a cost.
St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894–1941)
St. Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan friar who lived during World War II. After being arrested by the Nazis for sheltering Jewish refugees, he was sent to Auschwitz. While there, he offered his life in exchange for a fellow prisoner, a father who had been sentenced to death. Kolbe was starved for two weeks and eventually executed by lethal injection. Despite the horrors around him, Kolbe remained a beacon of hope, even encouraging others to stay strong in faith while in the camp.
St. Oscar Romero (1917–1980)
St. Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador, lived in one of the most violent periods of El Salvador’s history, during a civil war marked by political corruption and military oppression. Initially seen as a quiet and conservative figure, Romero became an outspoken advocate for the poor and victims of government violence. He faced threats to his life for denouncing human rights abuses and for standing with the marginalized. In 1980, while celebrating Mass, Romero was assassinated by government forces. His martyrdom has made him a symbol of courage in the face of injustice.
St. Damien of Molokai (1840–1889)
St. Damien de Veuster, a Belgian priest, spent the last 16 years of his life serving a leper colony on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. He volunteered to go there when it was a quarantined island for people with Hansen’s disease (leprosy), a highly stigmatized illness at the time. He worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions of those who were isolated, built schools, churches, and hospitals, and brought dignity to those society had cast away. In 1885, he contracted the disease himself but continued his ministry until his death.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla (1922–1962)
St. Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian pediatrician, wife, and mother who faced a heartbreaking decision during her pregnancy. When doctors discovered a life-threatening tumor, they advised her to terminate the pregnancy to save her own life. However, Gianna refused, choosing to prioritize her unborn child’s life over her own. She successfully gave birth to her daughter but died a week later from complications. Her selfless choice, rooted in faith, has made her a model of sacrificial love.
These modern saints faced harsh and challenging lives, often battling immense personal struggles while remaining steadfast in their faith. They are a witness to the fact that even in recent times, holiness can emerge from profound suffering and adversity. What’s keeping you from becoming a saint?
