In a time when identity feels unstable and courage is often confused with self-promotion, we need witnesses – people who knew who they were and whose they were, and who lived with unwavering clarity, no matter the cost.

We don’t have to look far. The Church, in her wisdom and beauty, gives us the lives of the saints – ordinary men and women who, grounded in Christ, lived with extraordinary fortitude. They weren’t perfect. They weren’t always fearless. But they were faithful, and they never forgot who they belonged to.

This month, as we focus on identity and fortitude, let’s draw inspiration from these saints whose lives testify to the strength that comes from knowing and living your true identity in God.

St. Josemaría Escrivá: Courage in the Hidden and Ordinary

St. Josemaría taught that every Christian is called to sanctify their daily life, work, family, friendships, offering everything to God. At a time when secularism and fear were on the rise, he reminded people that their identity as sons and daughters of God was their source of peace and purpose.

Even during the Spanish Civil War, when he risked imprisonment and death for his priesthood, he remained rooted in Christ. His quiet confidence wasn’t loud or flashy, but it was unshakeable. He showed that fortitude can flourish even in the seemingly mundane.

“Don’t let your life be sterile. Be useful. Blaze a trail.”  – St. Josemaría Escrivá

Blessed Álvaro del Portillo: Loyalty in the Shadows

Often called “the rock” behind St. Josemaría, Blessed Álvaro lived humility and fortitude through unwavering loyalty. He was not one to seek attention or acclaim, but he stood firm through decades of quiet, faithful service through hardship, criticism, and massive responsibility.

His identity was never rooted in titles or recognition. It was found in his love for Christ and the Church. In a world obsessed with the spotlight, Álvaro reminds us that true courage is often hidden.

Blessed Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri: Strength Through Simplicity

As one of the first women to join Opus Dei, Blessed Guadalupe showed fortitude through her pioneering spirit, her scientific career, and her deeply joyful faith. She faced illness, loss, and the challenge of forging new paths for women in the Church – all while radiating peace and purpose.

Her identity as a daughter of God shaped the way she approached everything, from teaching chemistry to leading formation efforts in multiple countries. Her life tells young women today: you don’t have to choose between faith, intellect, and fortitude – you were made for all three.

(LINK her name to: https://opusdei.org/en-us/guadalupe-ortiz/)

St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. John the Apostle: Three Faces of Apostolic Courage

These three apostles, though so different in temperament, offer a powerful picture of what fortitude in identity looks like:

• St. Peter, impulsive and flawed, grew into a bold shepherd willing to die for Christ. He teaches us that our failures don’t disqualify us – they can strengthen our witness.
  
• St. Paul, a fierce persecutor turned fearless preacher, shows us that identity is not about our past but about God’s grace. His life is a story of radical transformation rooted in mission.
  
• St. John, the beloved disciple, stood by Christ at the Cross. His fortitude was marked by tenderness and loyalty – proof that strength and love can coexist.
  

Together, they remind us that no matter our personality, past, or pain, God can form us into courageous disciples if we root our identity in Him.

St. Catherine of Siena: Fearless in Truth

Though just a young laywoman, St. Catherine of Siena stood up to popes and princes, not for power, but for truth. She had no formal education, yet her spiritual clarity and love for the Church changed history.

She once gave advice to a friend that often gets paraphrased as: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” That’s identity and fortitude woven together – a life blazing with truth, because it was lived entirely for God.

St. Thomas More: A Conscience That Wouldn’t Compromise

A brilliant lawyer and advisor to the king, St. Thomas More faced immense pressure to deny his faith and go along with what was politically convenient. But he couldn’t betray his conscience.

He stood firm, even when it cost him everything – his position, his freedom, and his life. His famous last words capture the essence of fortitude rooted in identity:
“I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first.”

Standing Strong in Our Time

These saints didn’t just survive the cultural and personal storms of their lives – they remained faithful, joyful, and free because they knew who they were. They belonged to God, and nothing the world threw at them could shake that.

Today, we’re called to the same kind of courage. The world may challenge our faith, our values, even our sense of self, but if we stay grounded in Christ, we will not be moved.