Throughout the year, we celebrate and learn about a variety of saints, exploring their feast days and discovering how their lives inspire us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Alongside this, we have a special group of Our School Saints who we focus on more closely because their lives, actions and values reflect the mission and values of Holy Family Catholic Primary School. These saints provide wonderful role models for our children, showing us how to grow our hearts and minds, care for others, learn with passion and work together to make a difference in the world. Through their examples, we encourage our children to put their faith into action and live out our school mission: "At Holy Family, we grow, learn and succeed in the footsteps of Jesus."

St Joseph- The Guardian of Jesus

St Joseph was the husband of Mary and the earthly father and guardian of Jesus. He was a humble, hardworking and faithful man who trusted God's plan, even when he did not fully understand what was being asked of him. When an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him that Mary would give birth to God's Son, Joseph listened and faithfully accepted his important role in caring for Jesus and Mary.

Joseph protected his family, providing them with a safe and loving home. He worked as a carpenter and taught Jesus many important skills as he grew up. When King Herod threatened Jesus, Joseph bravely followed God's guidance and took his family to safety in Egypt.

Although we do not hear many words spoken by Joseph in the Bible, his actions show us what it means to be faithful, loving, courageous and responsible. He reminds us of the importance of putting others first, trusting God and caring for those around us. St Joseph is a wonderful role model for our school community and shows us how to live out our mission by growing, learning and succeeding in the footsteps of Jesus.

Feast Day: 19th March

St John Henry Newman- A Seeker of Truth and Faith 

St John Henry Newman was an English theologian, writer and priest who dedicated his life to learning more about God and helping others to grow in their faith. He was born in London in 1801 and spent much of his life studying, teaching and sharing his beliefs. Throughout his life, Newman was always searching for a deeper understanding of God's truth. His journey of faith eventually led him to become a Catholic, and he was later ordained as a Catholic priest.

Newman believed strongly in the importance of education and helping people to develop both their minds and their faith. He founded the Oratory School in Birmingham, where he wanted young people to receive a good education while growing closer to God. He also became a cardinal and continued to inspire others through his writing and teaching.

St John Henry Newman reminds us that learning is a lifelong journey and that we should always be open to discovering more about God. His life reflects our school values of being passionate about learning, growing our hearts and minds and having the courage to follow where God leads us.

He was canonised as a saint in 2019 by Pope Francis.

Feast Day: 9th October

St Francis of Assisi 

St Francis of Assisi was born in Italy in 1181 or 1182. As a young man, he lived a wealthy and comfortable life, but he began to realise that true happiness came from following Jesus and helping others. He gave up his riches and chose to live a simple life, dedicating himself to God, caring for the poor and showing kindness to everyone he met.

Francis had a special love for God's creation. He believed that all living things, including animals, plants and people, were precious gifts from God. He treated animals with kindness and saw the beauty of God's love in the natural world. He even referred to the sun, moon, animals and nature as his brothers and sisters! His famous Canticle of the Creatures celebrates the beauty of creation and reminds us to be thankful for the world around us.

St Francis inspires us to be kind, generous and respectful stewards of God's creation. His life reflects our school values of growing our hearts and minds, caring for others and working together to protect our common home. He reminds us that we all have a responsibility to look after the wonderful world God has given us.

He founded the Franciscan religious order and was declared a saint in 1228, just two years after his death.

Feast Day: 4th October

 St Thérèse of Lisieux – The Little Flower

St Thérèse of Lisieux was born in France in 1873. From a young age, she had a deep love for God and wanted to dedicate her life to following Jesus. When she was just 15 years old, she joined a community of Carmelite nuns, where she spent her days praying, working and showing love to those around her.

Thérèse became known for her belief in what she called her 'Little Way'. She believed that we do not need to do extraordinary things to show our love for God. Instead, we can become closer to Him through small, everyday acts of kindness, patience, generosity and love. She tried to do even the simplest things with great love, offering them to God.

Although Thérèse died at the young age of 24, her words and teachings have inspired people all around the world. She was given the name The Little Flower because she believed that, just like a little flower, everyone has a special place in God's beautiful garden. She was declared a saint in 1925.

St Thérèse reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference. Her life reflects our school values of growing our hearts and minds, caring for others and working together to create a loving community. She encourages us to show God's love through the little things we do every day.

Feast Day: 1st October

 St Carlo Acutis – God's Influencer

St Carlo Acutis was born in London in 1991 but grew up in Italy. From a young age, Carlo had a special love for Jesus and the Catholic faith. He attended Mass regularly, prayed the Rosary and had a particular devotion to the Eucharist, which he called his "highway to heaven". Carlo believed that Jesus was at the centre of his life and encouraged others to discover the joy of knowing Him.

Carlo was also a talented computer programmer who loved technology. He used his skills to create a website documenting Eucharistic miracles from around the world, helping people to learn more about their faith. He showed that technology could be used in positive ways to share God's message and inspire others.

Despite his talents, Carlo was a humble and caring young person. He looked out for people who were lonely or struggling, helped those in need and treated everyone with kindness and respect. He believed that everyone was created to be unique and that we should not waste our lives trying to be someone else.

Sadly, Carlo died from leukaemia in 2006, aged just 15. He was canonised as a saint by Pope Leo XIV on 7th September 2025, becoming a wonderful example of how young people can live holy lives in the modern world.

Feast Day: 12th October