There isn’t an official ranking of saints in the Catechism nor is there a papal decree declaring some saints more important than others.
That said, Catholics worldwide venerate one particular saint more than all the others — the Blessed Virgin Mary. Historically and culturally speaking, Mary is ‘the greatest saint’ in the Catholic Church.
Not great in that they are holier than other saints, but in the sense that they hold an extremely important place in the Catholic faith as the instrument through which God’s salvation came to mankind. She’s called the ‘Mother of Saints’ or ‘Queen of Saints’.
There are many other saints we can consider great because of the works they did, the deep faith they demonstrated, and their impact on Christianity. Some cultures also hold certain saints in high regard (e.g. Saint Patrick in Ireland or the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico).
So a better question would be: who are the greatest saints in the Catholic Church? Here are 5 saints (other than Mary) that are highly regarded by most Catholics.
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1. Saint Joseph
After Mary, St. Joseph is probably the next most venerated saint. He was declared the ‘Patron of the Universal Church’ by Pope Pius IX in 1870.
His role as the foster father of Jesus has turned him into a model of faith, sacrifice, and obedience to men and particularly fathers. Because of his work as a carpenter, he is honored as the patron saint of workers.
2. Saint Peter
Other than Mary and Joseph, the two other best known saints are Peter and Paul. They were crucial in shaping the early Church and spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem.
Peter was one of the original disciples of Jesus, and considered to be the leader of the 12 disciples. Famously, Jesus said to him, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it,” signifying his role as the leader of the early church.
He became the first Bishop of Rome and he is the predecessor to all subsequent Popes.
3. Saint Paul
Paul wasn’t one of the original disciples; in fact, he started out as a violent persecutor, hunting down christians and having them imprisoned or killed.
He then underwent a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus and turned into the most effective evangelist for christianity. His work in spreading the gospel to non-jews (essentially ensuring Christianity becomes a world religion) makes him the most influential figure in Christianity after Jesus.
In addition to spreading christianity to the gentiles, Paul, through his many letters, established the intellectual framework that guides the modern church. Concepts like the Body of Christ, salvation by grace, and justification by faith all came from St. Paul.
Today, Catholics venerate Paul as the patron saint of evangelists and missionaries.
4. St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi is best known for his radical embrace of poverty and humility. Born to a wealthy family, he spent his youth living a life of privilege before undergoing several mystical experiences that led him to renounce his inheritance, much to the disappointment of his father and many other people.
Afterwards, he lived among the poor and sick, and embraced a life of simplicity, humility, and service. He is most notable as a founder of the Franciscan Order, one of the largest orders in the Catholic church.
St. Francis lived in harmony with nature, believing they were sacred creations of God. He even talked and preached to birds. For this reason, he is regarded as the patron saint of animals and the environment.
5. St. Michael the Archangel
While he’s not canonized like other saints, since he is not human, Michael the Archangel is venerated alongside other great saints.
Throughout the bible, Michael is depicted as a warrior who leads God’s battles and stands guard over his people. He is a warrior angel who is regarded as heaven’s general.
St. Michael is the patron saint of soldiers, police officers, and the military, as well as other professions that involve hazardous work such as firefighters and paramedics.
Catholic faithfuls pray to him to intercede for them on matters to do with protection from physical dangers and in spiritual warfare.
Other important saints
- Saint Teresa of Avila is one of the greatest female saints and best known for her life of prayer, discipline, and compassion.
- Saint Thomas Aquinas was a prominent thinker and philosopher and is honored for his contribution to christian theology.
- Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, ‘the little flower’, died at just 24 but had a profound influence on the church with her emphasis on love and simplicity.
We could go on and on naming all the great saints in the Catholic Church. The point is that each saint is great in their own way. Even the lesser known saints impacted the Church or their community in major ways.
