Great Saints from Ireland, France, & Uganda Who Showed Heroic Virtue

Today is the feast of multiple inspiring saints from around the world. St. Clotilde was key in the conversion of France to Christianity—France, the “Eldest Daughter of the Church.” The Martyrs of Uganda all witnessed to the truth even to the shedding of their blood. And St. Kevin of Glendalough is one of the greatest saints from the Isle of Saints and Scholars (Ireland).

Jesus told His apostles and disciples (Matt. 28:19), “Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” St. Clotilde took that command seriously, and won a country for Christ.

Jesus said, “Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.” (Matt. 5:11-12) The Martyrs of Uganda, who died between November 15, 1885 and January 27, 1887 in Namugongo, Uganda, followed so closely in Christ’s footsteps that they, like Jesus, were killed. Uganda is now a majority-Christian nation, but Christians still suffer from Islamic jihadi violence there.

The third saint today, like Jesus (Matt. 4, Lk. 4), wished to go out into the wilderness alone to pray. Ultimately, he founded a great monastic community that blessed Ireland for centuries. Amidst the magnificent scenery of Glendalough, its greenery so different from the desert in which Jesus lived—and yet such a perfect reminder of the goodness of Creation—Saint Kevin dedicated his life to God.