Saints

Our Class Saints and Catholic Social Teaching

At St Joseph’s, every class has a special saint or holy role model whose life and example are linked to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST).

By learning about these inspiring people, our children see how faith can be put into action. They discover practical ways to follow Jesus by respecting the dignity of every person, caring for creation, supporting those in need, working for justice and contributing to their community.

Why do Catholics pray to the Saints?

We don't pray to the saints the way that we pray to God.  It's better to think of it as praying with the saints.  Saints are people like you and I who lived wonderful lives with God.  We can go to them and ask them to pray intercessory prayers just as we can ask our parents, relatives, or best friends to pray for us or those that we love.

Our Class Saints

  • Foundation 1 – The Holy Family
    The Holy Family helps our youngest children understand the importance of love, care, belonging and supporting one another. This links to the CST principle of Family and Community.

  • Foundation 2 – Saint Joseph
    Saint Joseph teaches the children about protecting and caring for others, listening to God and working faithfully. His example links particularly to The Dignity of Work and Family and Community.

  • Year 1 – Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
    Mother Teresa dedicated her life to caring for people who were sick, poor, vulnerable or alone. She helps the children understand the Preferential Option for the Poor and the importance of recognising the Dignity of Every Human Person.

  • Year 2 – Saint Francis of Assisi
    Saint Francis saw the whole of creation as a precious gift from God. Through his example, the children learn about Care for Creation, living simply and treating people, animals and the natural world with love and respect.

  • Year 3 – Saint Oscar Romero
    Saint Oscar Romero courageously spoke out against injustice and defended people who were poor and oppressed. He inspires the children to learn about Solidarity, Peace, and the importance of standing up for the Rights and Responsibilities of others.

  • Year 4 – Saint Carlo Acutis
    Saint Carlo Acutis used his gifts, including his computer skills, to share his faith and help others. He treated everyone with kindness, supported people experiencing poverty and stood beside children who were bullied or excluded. His example links to Human Dignity, Participation and Solidarity.

  • Year 5 – Saint Vincent de Paul
    Saint Vincent de Paul worked with others to provide practical support for people experiencing poverty and hardship. He shows the children that faith must be lived through loving actions. His life reflects the Preferential Option for the Poor, Solidarity and the Dignity of the Human Person.

Putting Our Faith into Action

The class saints are woven into prayer, worship, Religious Education, Catholic Social Teaching and the wider life of our school. Children learn about their saint’s life, celebrate their feast day and reflect on how they can follow their example.

Each saint provides an age-appropriate role model who encourages our pupils to ask:

  • How can I show love and respect to others?

  • How can I care for God’s creation?

  • How can I help someone who is in need?

  • How can I stand up for what is right?

  • How can I use my gifts to serve others?

Through our class saints, Catholic Social Teaching becomes more than something the children learn about—it becomes something they are encouraged to live out each day through their words, choices and actions.

“Faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:17