The seasons of Advent and Christmas rightly receive a prime place of honor during the month of December, as the Church prepares for and celebrates the Nativity of our Lord. Not far behind the sacred seasons are two significant Marian feast days: the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8 and the commemoration of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12.
In addition, December offers us a host of Heavenly friends whose feast days are not to be missed. While the liturgical calendar includes great male Saints, such as Saints Francis Xavier (December 3), Nicholas (December 6), and Stephen (December 26), this month is also marked by the presence of several beautiful female Saints. These women can inspire and intercede for us during our preparation for and celebration of Christmas.
Six Female Saints to Befriend This Advent
These six women—some of whom are not the most famous Saints and some about whom very little is known—are powerful intercessors. And during this season of Advent, they can keep us focused on Christ, Who the Advent and Christmas seasons are all about.
Saint Bibiana // December 1
A basilica in Rome was dedicated to Saint Bibiana in 363 AD, which you can still visit today. Tradition says her entire Christian family was martyred. When Bibiana refused to “reform” her faith, she was tortured and killed. She is buried next to her father, Saint Flavian, in her basilica.
Saint Barbara // December 5
Barbara secretly converted to Christianity and offered herself to Jesus through a life of consecrated virginity. Because of her faith, she was beaten and tortured by her own father. She was also led through the town naked to mock her faith, but when Barbara prayed, an angel covered her with a robe. In an act of unwavering bravery, she submitted to being beheaded by her own father instead of denying the faith. She is known as one of the fourteen Holy Helpers, who are invoked for protection during trials and sufferings.
Saint Lucy // December 13
Fittingly, Lucy, whose name means “light,” has her feast day in the midst of the darkest time of the year. Lucy consecrated herself to Jesus at a young age. When she became betrothed to a pagan man, she refused to marry him. This enraged the man, and he tried to punish her by sending her to a brothel. However, she miraculously became too heavy to be moved. He then tried to burn her, which also didn’t work, and eventually he had her killed by a sword. She is the patroness of the blind, of writers, and of epidemics.
Saint Adelaide of Italy // December 16
Saint Adelaide of Italy was the first Roman Empress and shared power with her husband. She was one of the most influential women in tenth-century Europe. Adelaide used her power to protect her people and mediate disputes, while facing family and political trials. According to tradition, Saint Adalaide is described as “a marvel of beauty and goodness,” according to Saint Odilon of Cluny, who was both her spiritual director and biographer. She also founded many churches and monasteries and is the patroness of second marriages.
Venerable Antonietta Giugliano // December 21
Growing up in Italy, Venerable Antonietta Giugliano had a deep devotion to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and began discerning a religious vocation at a young age. In the midst of the interwar period and World War II, Antonietta was called to begin her own religious community. She died on June 8, 1960.
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini // December 22
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini was a great missionary to the United States and the first American citizen to be canonized. While most in the United States observe her feast day in November, Saint Cabrini’s traditional and official feast day (the anniversary of her death) is in December. Her legacy is immeasurable, and she has become even more well known due to the movie Mother Cabrini.
Sanctity is for Everyone
Woven throughout the sacred seasons of Advent and Christmas are the feast days of women Saints whose lives radiate faith, courage, and love.
From Saint Bibiana’s steadfast witness and Saint Barbara’s fearless purity to Saint Lucy’s shining light amid the darkness, these Saints remind us that holiness often blossoms in suffering and perseverance. And through Saint Adelaide’s leadership and compassion, Venerable Antonietta Giugliano’s quiet fidelity, and Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s missionary zeal, we recognize how God works through every vocation and circumstance.
As we prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ Child this Christmas, may the examples of these holy women inspire us to live our own yes to God with renewed faith, joy, and courage.
Sr. Mary Claire of the Holy Family is a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) and currently serves in Corpus Christi, TX. She loves Jesus and Mary, and her students would say every Saint is her favorite. She graduated with a degree in elementary education and is currently working on a Masters in Theology from her Alma Mater, Franciscan University. A Tennessee girl who could live off Dr. Pepper and popcorn, she loves road trips, especially this one we are on to Heaven.
Walk with Us this Advent
Get Your Prayerful Planner
