Lent Day 36: National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month! The Catholic Gentleman posted a blog about some Catholic poets you may not have heard of or may not have known were Catholic. But for this blog, I’m going to list off some saints who also wrote poetry and tell you some things about them.

St. Therese of Liseux: One of my favorite saints (as I have mentioned), St. Therese’s best known work is her autobiography Story of a Soul and being an inspiration to Mother Teresa. She is also one of the few female Doctors of the Church. However, she also wrote poems and plays and even got to act in the plays she wrote. One particular play had her in the role of Joan of Arc. 

(Photo courtesy of maidofheaven.com)

St. Theresa of Avila: Another female Doctor of the Church, St. Theresa of Avila was one of the great Catholic mystics. She founded the Carmelite order and loved contemplative prayer. Her most well-known work is The Interior Castle. 

St. John of the Cross: Ever heard of the term “dark night of the soul”? St. John of the Cross came up with that term. He was one of the co-founders of the Carmelites and good friends with St. Theresa. He’s also another Doctor of the Church. 

St. Robert Southwell: A Jesuit martyr from the 14th century, St. Robert Southwell was a missionary in post-Reformation England. 

St. Ephriam: He was a deacon and came from Syria. Most of his writings were intended to be sung as hymns.

St. Francis: No introduction necessary. Where do you think Pope Francis chose his name from? St. Francis’s most well-known poem is the “Canticle of the Sun.”

St. Hildegard of Bingen: A Benedictine abbess who was talented in a lot of areas. She founded 2 monestaries and wrote what is said to be the oldest morality play.

Click on the links provided or Google search these saints. What do you think of their poetry? Do you know any other Catholic poets? Or poets from other denominations? Please tell me!