Top 10 Child Saints

These Catholic saints had incredible experience and faith. They displayed strength and courage in Christ, all under the age of 18.

1. St. Vitus

Via wikipedia.org

St. Vitus was a martyr in the early Church, when Christians were being persecuted and killed for their faith; he was about 13 years old when he died.

2. St. Dominic Savio

Via wikipedia.org

St. Dominic Savio was a young Italian living in the 19th century. As a young boy he displayed a deep understanding of the faith; at the time, children would not receive communion until the age of 12, but St. Dominic, due to his understanding of the Eucharist, was permitted to receive at age 7. He died of illness at age 14, but even in dying, he remained very peaceful.

3. St. Maria Goretti

Via marypages.com

St. Maria was born near the end of the 19th century in Italy. At 11 years of age, a young neighbor threatened to rape her, else suffer death. Maria refused his advances, claiming it would be a mortal sin; he stabbed her 14 times. She died due to the injuries, but not before she had forgiven him. Her would-be rapist eventually repented and became a lay brother in a monastery.

4. St. Dymphna

Via wikipedia.org

St. Dymphna lived in Ireland in the 7th century. Her Christian mother died when she was young, and her father, a pagan, beside himself with grief, attempted to take Dymphna as his wife. St. Dymphna had taken a vow of chastity and when hearing the news she fled. Her father did learn of her whereabouts, and when she refused to return with him, he beheaded her. She was about 15 years old at her death.

5. St. Agnes

Via spreadjesus.org

St. Agnes was a virgin-martyr in the early Christian church. Like St. Vitus above, she died as a result of the persecution of Christians. She had taken a vow of purity, and many men were captivated by her beauty; legend says that whenever a man would try to rape her, they were struck blind. She died around the age of 12.

6. St. Stanislaus Kostka

Via atenista.org

St. Stanislaus Kostka was a Polish young man who lived in the 16th century. He entered as a novitiate of the Jesuits on his 17th birthday, despite his delicate health. He only lived 10 months longer, and despite his failing health, he lived a very holy and penance-filled life. He had a strong relationship to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and died on the feast of the Assumption, August 15.

7. St. Philomena

Via catholic.org

St. Philomena was a young virgin martyr who lived during the persecution of Christians by the emperor Diocletian. Much of her life is known through the visions of a 19th century nun in Naples. According to this account, she was the daughter of Christian royalty, and because Diocletian threatened war with them, they went to see him to make peace. Diocletian found Philomena beautiful, but she had taken a vow of purity. Because Diocletian could not have her for his wife, he subjected her to extreme torture and finally, decapitation. She was 13 years old when she was martyred for the faith.

8. Children at Fatima

Via rosaryworkshop.com

Lucia Santos and Jacinta and Francisco Marto were aged 9, 9, and 7 years of age, respectively, when in 1917, they experienced an apparition of Mary at Fatima, Portugal. Mary appeared to them a total of six times, revealing three secrets and prophecies over the upcoming world wars. Lucia is the only one of the children who lived past childhood; she passed away in 2005 and is in the process of canonization. Jacinta and Francisco lived until they were 11 and 10 years old, respectively. Like Lucia, they are beatified and in the process of canonization.

9. Ven. Antonietta Meo

Via wikipedia.org

Antonietta Meo is one of the very youngest individuals on her way to sainthood. She died at the young age of 6; in those brief years on earth, she displayed many qualities of a mystic. Despite illness and amputation of her leg, she wrote many letters to Jesus and offered all of her pain for the conversion of sinners. She died in 1937.

10. St. Justus

Via freerepublic.com

St. Justus has a legendary tale: at the age of 9, he was executed for his Christian faith. He was beheaded and despite this, his body picked up his head and was able to talk, which helped to convert some of the pagans around him. He ultimately died and his remains lie in Paris.