The schools and churches within our parish boundaries were blessed by the presence of the following religious orders and patron saints who inspired students and parishioners for many years through their intentionality, example, and charisms.
 

Order of Friars Minor, Province of the Immaculate Conception - Saint Pamphilus Church

For 58 years, Saint Pamphilus church was served by the Franciscans, a mendicant order founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Though Francis, like so many saints, was born into a wealthy family, he gave his wealth to the poor and devoted his life to serving the Church. He traveled with a group of like-minded followers to preach and minister to those in need. He discovered his vocation through a vision where Jesus told him to “rebuild my church.” Saint Francis, the saint that inspired Pope Francis’ name, also is one of several saints to have the stigmata- the wounds of Christ on his hands and feet. Saint Francis is the patron saint of animals, and there is a tradition where animals are blessed on his feast day.

The Catholic Church celebrates Saint Francis of Assisi on October 4.

Prayer attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Sisters of Saint Joseph - Saint Catherine of Siena School

For 83 years, the Sisters of Saint Joseph staffed Saint Catherine of Siena School in Beechview. As the husband of Mary, Joseph was faithful to his wife and willingly accepted God’s will for him to care for his family, especially Jesus, the Son of God. Joseph was visited by an angel multiple times in dreams which guided him as a member of the Holy Family. Saint Joseph is the patron saint of a happy death and of the Universal Church, and he is a great role model for all fathers! The Sisters of Saint Joseph can trace their roots to pre-revolution France where they were founded by a Jesuit priest. After the revolution, when many previously-suppressed orders were revived, Mother Jeanne Fontbonne re-founded the congregation, and the sisters branched out throughout the world.

The Sisters of St. Joseph commemorate Mother St. John Fontbonne on November 22, and the Catholic Church celebrates Saint Joseph on March 19.

"We Look to Joseph" - A Prayer from the Sisters of Saint Joseph
God of Great Love,
Your son, Jesus, was nurtured by St. Joseph.
May we look to Joseph as our model of justice,
gentleness, and humility.
May we, with Joseph, nurture the life of Christ
in our lives and in the lives of others,
uniting all people and all creation
with God and with one another.
May Joseph’s life inspire us
to be a hopeful, healing presence
within our world.
Amen.

Mother St. John Fontbonne, pray for us!
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
 

Benedictine Sisters - Saint Pius X School

For many years, Saint Pius X School was staffed by the Benedictine Sisters, an order of sisters named after Saint Benedict. While Benedict founded monasteries for priests, his twin sister, Saint Scholastica, founded convents for sisters. Saint Benedict devised a series of guidelines for monks to follow in their prayer, communal, and ministerial life called the “Rule of Saint Benedict,” which other religious orders have adopted. Saint Benedict is the patron saint against poison and Saint Scholastica is a patron saint of religious sisters and the patron against storms and rain.

The Catholic Church celebrates Saint Benedict on July 11 and Saint Scholastica on February 10.

Pray and Work (Ora et Labora) - a Benedictine Prayer
God of all creation and blessings,
worthy are You to receive praise and thanksgiving.
With Saint Benedict as our model,
may we value a balance of prayer,
work, and leisure.
May we esteem work as we do prayer,
and contribute to the dignity of our human family.
May we be blest with a spirit of fruitfulness
through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica, pray for us!
 

Sisters of Charity - Resurrection School and Elizabeth Seton High School

The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill have deep ties to our community, as they served Resurrection School, Elizabeth Seton High School, and later, Seton-La Salle. They continue to live in residence at Seton Center on Pioneer Avenue and have a presence at the center’s senior and youth programs. Elizabeth endured many struggles throughout her life, but education, which was a primary concern of her father, became her life’s work. After her husband died, she eventually felt called to the Catholic Church and embarked on a journey to religious life. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first person born in the United States to become a saint and opened our country’s first parochial school.

The Catholic Church celebrates Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton on January 4.

A Prayer to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Lord God, you blessed Elizabeth Seton with gifts of grace
as wife, and mother, educator, and foundress,
so that she might spend her life in service to your people.
through her example and prayers
may we learn to express our love for you
in love for our fellow men and women.
we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!
 

Apostles of the Sacred Heart - Our Lady of Loreto School

Blessed Clelia Merloni was born into a wealthy, Italian family, and her family wanted her to join them in the business world. Her faith and zeal lead her, however, to religious life. She founded the Apostles of the Sacred Heart, who were called to be missionaries and teachers. The first part of their motto, Caritas Christi Urgent Nos, means the love of Christ impels us. We are called to share the love of Jesus with those we encounter.

The Catholic Church celebrates Blessed Clelia Merloni on November 21.

Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Clelia Merloni
Lord Jesus, you made Blessed Clelia a steadfast apostle of the love of your most holy Heart and a lover of the Father’s will throughout her life of continual trial.
You filled her with humble trust, the key that opens the treasures of your infinite mercy.
We ask you to glorify her here on earth so that the beauty of her holiness might draw us to your most gentle Heart, her intercession assist us on our journey toward the ultimate good, and her example awaken in us the desire to see our triune God known, loved, and served. Amen.

Blessed Clelia Merloni, pray for us! 
 

Brothers of the Christian Schools - South Hills Catholic High School

The Christian Brothers served both South Hills Catholic High School and Seton-La Salle. The school's name comes from their founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle. While the Christian Brothers no longer teach at Seton-La Salle, their charism lives on there and they still serve and teach at Central Catholic High School in Oakland. Saint John Baptist de La Salle was a French priest who gave his wealth to the poor and, after a chance meeting with a teacher, became involved in the founding and expansion of a series of schools for poor boys. The teachers he mentored became the first Christian Brothers, and he later was named the patron saint of all teachers.

The Christian Brothers celebrate Saint John Baptist de La Salle on May 15, and the Catholic Church celebrates him on April 7.

A Prayer from Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Stir up your trust in the infinite goodness of God. Give honor to your Creator by leaving the care of your person in the hands of God. Don’t be troubled about the present or disquieted about the future, but be concerned only about the moment you must now live. Do not let anticipation of tomorrow be a burden on the day that is passing. What you lack in the evening, the new morning will bring you, if you know how to hope in God.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us!
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

Saint John Bosco - Patron Saint of Saint John Bosco Academy
(1815-1888)

In its 107 years of providing a quality, Catholic education to the students entrusted to its care in our city neighborhoods, our parish school in its final years adopted the name of a great educator saint: Saint John Bosco. 

Born to a devout, Italian Catholic family in 1815, John Bosco had early desires to become a priest and live out the Gospel message. He even had a dream which called him to dedicate himself to the education of young people. His dream of becoming a priest was realized after years of seminary study and a series of stints working as a farmer, tailor, shoemaker, baker, and a carpenter to pay for his time in the seminary. His years being reared by a single mother after his father’s death and his time on his own likely contributed to his ministry of serving youth who were abandoned or needed support.
 
As an educator, John Bosco worked with students from poor families and who had discipline issues. He adopted discipline policies rooted in love, not punishment, and his compassionate approach led to the establishment of the Society of Saint Francis de Sales, commonly known as the Salesians. He is also known as “Don Bosco” which is Italian for Father Bosco. Aside from being a great educator saint, he is the patron saint of young people and editors.

The Catholic Church celebrates Saint John Bosco on January 31.

Prayer to Saint John Bosco

O God, who raised up the priest, Saint John Bosco, as a father and teacher of the young, grant we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint John Bosco, pray for us!