Therese Martin: the "Little Flower," died 30 Sept. 1897 of tuberculosis in Carmel of Lisieux at age 24; born in Alencon; contemplative who, in her biography, "The Story of a Soul" urged all to follow "the little way"; proclaimed doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II, 19 October 2001; patroness of the missions, of France. (October 1)

Guardian Angels: Observed since the 16th c. in Spain, Pope Clement X in 1670 assigned this memorial to the first free day following Michaelmas day. (October 2)

Francis: (died 3 Oct 1226); noted for his charismatic personality, deep compassion for all, and love for God's creation; renounced wealth to follow "Lady Poverty"; deacon; founded the Order of Friars Minor (today numbering 17,900), the Poor Clares and the Third Order; wrote Canticle of the Sun; received the stigmata 14 Sept. 1224; canonized only two years after his death; patron of ecologists and of Italy. (October 4)

Bruno (died 1101): at la Grande Chartreuse (or Charter House) near Grenoble; sought "to seek God assiduously, to find God promptly, and to possess God fully"; founded (1084) the Carthusians, today numbering about 360 religious, whose motto is "while the world changes, the cross stands firm." (October 6)

Denis, or Dionysius (died 258): first bishop of Paris; martyred with the presbyter, Eleutherius, and the deacon, Rusticus, on Montmartre (or "mount of martyrs"); patron of Paris and France. (October 9)

John Leonardi: (died 1609) at Lucca; founded (1574) the Congregation of Clerics Regular of the Mother of God (today numbering about 60 members) to further education in Christian doctrine; helped found the Propaganda Fide, the Vatican Congregation in charge of missionary activity (known as the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples). (October 9)

Callixtus I (died 222): incurred ire of Tertullian and Hippolytus (13 Aug) over lapsi controversy; organized the first official Christian cemetery in Rome and instituted Ember day fasts. (October 14)

Hedwig (died 1243): born in Bavaria; duchess of Silesia and mother of seven; peacemaker dedicated to the poor and prisoners; as a widow, retired to a Cistercian convent. (October 16)

Margaret Mary (died 17 Oct. 1690) at age 43; French Visitandine mystic who promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a feast which helped free the Church from the spirit of Jansenism; promoted first Friday devotion. (October 16)

Ignatius: (died c. 107) under Trajan in Rome's amphitheater; from Syria; Apostolic Father known as the second successor of St. Peter in Antioch; wrote seven letters to local communities on church unity and structure, esp. the monoepiscopacy; first to use the term "Catholic Church" as a collective designation for Christians; mentioned in the Roman Canon. (October 17)

Luke (died 1st c.): Syrian physician from Antioch and companion of Paul; authored c. 70-85 Acts of the Apostles and the gospel for the gentile Christians; it speaks of God's mercy, universal salvation, love of the poor and marginalized, absolute renunciation, prayer and the Holy Spirit; represented by a winged ox (cf. Ezekiel 1); patron of the medical profession, painters, artists, sculptors and butchers. (October 18)

John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and companions: French Jesuit and oblate missionaries to the Hurons and Iroquois of North America, (died 1642-1649); Isaac was tomahawked to death by Iroquois on 18 Oct. 1646 near Albany; John was savagely mutilated and slain 16 Mar. 1649 near Georgian Bay; other martyrs were Antony Daniel, Gabriel Lalemant, Charles Garnier, Noel Chabanel and oblates Rene Goupil and Jean de la Lande; secondary patrons of Canada. (October 19)

John of Capistrano (died 1456): OFM; reformer of the Franciscans and Poor Clares; preached devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus; sought an end to the Western Schism; animated resistance against the Turks at the battle of Belgrade (1456); patron of military chaplains. (October 23)

Anthony Claret: (died 1870); from Catalonia; vigorous reforming bishop of Santiago, Cuba; founded (1849) the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians), today numbering about 2,900 members; fostered credit unions and the apostolic press. (October 24)

Simon (died 1st c.): called the "Canaanite" and also "the Zealot," an anti-Roman party; possibly preached in Egypt and Persia; mentioned in the Roman canon. (October 28)

Jude, or Thaddeus ("Courageous") (died 1st c.): may have preached in Palestine and Persia; mentioned in the Roman Canon; patron of those in despair, or in hopeless situations (perhaps because of the similarity of his name with that of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus and despaired.) (October 28)