Saints Archives - Page 3 of 16

Gay saint John Henry Newman and his “earthly light” Ambrose St. John shared romantic friendship

by Kittredge Cherry | | Feb 16-29, Oct 1-15, Saints

John Henry Newman, a 19th-century British scholar, theologian and cardinal, was canonized by the Pope as a Roman Catholic saint in 2019 amid widespread speculation that he was gay. Newman’s feast day is Oct. 9 in the Roman Catholic church, Feb. 21 in the Episcopal...

Sergius and Bacchus: Paired male saints loved each other in ancient Roman army

by Kittredge Cherry | | Oct 1-15, Saints, Top saints

Saints Sergius and Bacchus were third-century Roman soldiers, Christian martyrs and men who loved each other. Their story is told here in words and images for their feast day on Oct. 7. They are by far the best documented, most widely worshiped and most influential...

Galla and Benedicta: Queer Roman saints — and lovers?

by Kittredge Cherry | | Oct 1-15, Saints

Saint Galla of Rome was a sixth-century widow who avoided remarriage by growing a beard. She founded a hospital and convent, and begged to have her female beloved Benedicta accompany her into heaven. Galla’s feast day is Oct. 5 and Benedicta’s is May 6. Galla was...

Francis of Assisi: Queer side revealed for saint who loved creation, peace and the poor

by Kittredge Cherry | | Oct 1-15, Saints, Top saints

Historical records reveal a queer side to Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved religious figures of all time. The 13th-century friar is celebrated for loving animals, hugging lepers, embracing poverty and praying for peace, but few know about his love for...

Animal blessing prayer: We pray for the animals

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints

Animal blessings are happening all over the world in October for the feast of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. He was an animal-loving queer saint who talked with birds, befriended wolves and called all animals “brother” and “sister.” The following...

Carl Bean: Black LGBTQ church founder who sang “I Was Born This Way”

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 1-15

Carl Bean was founding archbishop of the Unity Fellowship Church Movement in the Black LGBTQ community, early AIDS activist and Motown singer of the 1977 gay-liberation anthem “I Was Born This Way.” He died Sept. 7, 2021 at age 77 after a long illness. Bean (May 26,...

Rumi: Poet and Sufi mystic inspired by same-sex love

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

Rumi is a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic whose love for another man inspired some of the world’s best poems and led to the creation of a new religious order, the Whirling Dervishes. He was born Sept. 30, 1207 in Afghanistan. With sensuous beauty and deep...

FannyAnn Eddy: Lesbian martyr in Africa

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

FannyAnn Eddy was a major activist for LGBTQ rights in her native Sierra Leone and the rest of Africa. She was murdered on Sept. 29, 2004. Nobody was ever convicted of the crime. She founded the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association in 2002 and advocated for LGBTQ...

Good (Gay?) King Wenceslas loved his page Podiven

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

There’s good reason to believe that Good King Wenceslas was gay. Yes, the king in the Christmas carol. His feast day is Sept. 28. Saint Wenceslaus I (907–935) was duke of Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). The carol “Good King Wenceslas” is based on a...

Euphrosyne / Smaragdus of Alexandria: Queer saint crossed gender divide in 5th-century Egypt

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

Euphrosyne / Smaragdus (Emerald) of Alexandria is a 5th-century saint who left life as a woman to become a monk in an Egyptian monastery. Raised as the daughter of a wealthy couple, the future saint ran away from home at age 18 to avoid heterosexual marriage....