CST Principle: The Common Good

Saint: St Thérèse of Lisieux

St Thérèse is the patron saint of missionaries, florists, pilots, and priests. She taught that small acts of love can have great impact — a spirituality known as The Little Way. Each year, the Church celebrates Little Way Week, encouraging us to complete small daily acts of kindness to share God’s love. Her example shows us that working for the common good often begins with simple, everyday love.

 

CST Principle: Subsidiarity

Saint: St Vincent de Paul

St Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of charities, volunteers, and hospitals. He founded hospitals and missions to support the poor, visited prisoners, and organised wealthy women in Paris to raise funds for relief projects. He freed over 1,200 galley slaves and founded the Ladies of Charity and the Vincentian priests. His life reflects subsidiarity: empowering communities to support those in need at the most local and effective level.

CST Principle: Option for the Poor

Saint: St Mother Teresa of Calcutta

St Mother Teresa is the patron saint of World Youth Day and the Missionaries of Charity. She lived a life of prayer, simplicity, sacrifice, and service. She founded the Missionaries of Charity to serve the poorest of the poor in Kolkata and later founded groups of lay co‑workers. Her ministry reminds us of our responsibility to put the needs of the poor first.

CST Principle: Stewardship of God’s Creation

Saint: St Francis of Assisi

:
St Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment. He lived simply, cared for the poor and sick, and saw all creatures as brothers and sisters under God. He encouraged people to give generously to those in need and believed caring for creation is a way of loving God. He is a powerful example of ecological responsibility rooted in faith.

CST Principle: Participation

Saint: St Joseph the Worker

St Joseph the Worker is the patron saint of workers. A carpenter by trade, he is often shown with tools to symbolise honest labour. His quiet dedication, integrity, and protection of the Holy Family show us how participating in work and community life builds up society.

CST Principle: Solidarity

Saint: St Oscar Romero

St Oscar Romero is the patron saint of persecuted Christians. As Archbishop of San Salvador, he defended the poor and spoke out against injustice, human rights abuses, and violence. Through his preaching and radio broadcasts, he gave courage to the oppressed and ultimately gave his life for his people. He shows us what it means to stand with others — especially the vulnerable — in unity and love.

CST Principle: Distributive Justice

Saint: St Martin de Porres

St Martin de Porres is the patron of social justice, racial harmony, and public health. Born to a Spanish nobleman and an enslaved African woman, he experienced racial discrimination but responded with compassion and service. He became a Dominican lay brother, founded hospitals and orphanages, and cared for the sick, poor, and abandoned. His life reflects fair and loving distribution of resources and care for all.

CST Principle: Promoting Peace

Saint: St Pope John Paul II

St John Paul II is the patron saint of World Youth Day, young Catholics, and Poland. He advocated tirelessly for peace, human rights, and interfaith dialogue — famously gathering world faith leaders in Assisi.
He opposed violence, promoted reconciliation, and travelled the world encouraging justice, forgiveness, and unity. His witness shows how peace is built on dignity, dialogue, and love.