3 Summer Saints You've Probably Never Heard Of

One of them is St Christina of Bolsena, whose Feast is today. It was on her tomb that the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena took place, prompting Pope Urban IV to institute the Feast of Corpus Christi.

From Aleteia

By Daniel Esparza

Scattered across July and August are feast days for saints who lived extraordinary, often unexpected lives — some hidden, some strange, all rooted in grace.

Summer may feel like the Church’s quiet season, tucked between Easter joy and autumn solemnities. But scattered across July and August are feast days for saints who lived extraordinary, often unexpected lives — some hidden, some strange, all rooted in grace. These lesser-known figures offer surprising insights into what holiness looks like, even when the sun is hot and the pace is slow.

Here are three summer saints whose stories might just shift your understanding of sanctity:

St. Christina the Astonishing (July 24)

Born in 12th-century Belgium, Christina is perhaps one of the strangest saints in Catholic history. After suffering a seizure and appearing to die at age 21, she stunned mourners by levitating from her coffin during her own funeral Mass. She described being taken to heaven, hell, and purgatory — and chose to return to earth to do penance for the souls in purgatory.

Her penitential acts were extreme, hagiography tells us. Allegedly, she would throw herself into burning furnaces, freezing rivers, or mill wheels. She lived on practically nothing, avoided comfort, and was revered (and somewhat feared) by her community. While some questioned her mental state, others recognized deep mystical courage. St. Christina reminds us that sanctity doesn’t always look reasonable — and that the Church has room for saints who astonish.

Blessed Solanus Casey (July 30)

A modern American saint-in-the-making, Blessed Solanus was born in 1870 in Wisconsin. He struggled academically and barely made it through seminary, eventually serving as a “simple porter” — a doorman — at the Capuchin monastery in Detroit. But this humble doorkeeper became a spiritual powerhouse.

People from all over came to talk to him. He offered practical advice, blessings, and prayers, and was known for remarkable healings. He played the violin (not well), wrote poetry, and lived with cheerful simplicity. His cause for canonization is well underway, and he’s a patron for those who feel overlooked or underqualified.

St. Lydia of Thyatira (August 3)

Mentioned briefly in the Acts of the Apostles, Lydia was Paul’s first recorded convert in Europe. A seller of purple cloth — a luxury trade — she was likely a woman of means and influence. But what sets her apart is her openness: she listened, responded, and offered hospitality to Paul and his companions.

In a time when Christian women were mostly hidden in the background, Lydia is a rare glimpse of female initiative in the early Church. Her feast is especially meaningful today, as the Church continues to rediscover the vital role of lay women in evangelization and community life.

These saints aren’t as widely known as Francis or Teresa — but perhaps that’s part of their gift. They meet us in the quieter months, when we’re traveling, slowing down, or looking for renewal. They remind us that holiness isn’t seasonal, and that God calls people — astonishing or ordinary — at all times of year.