All Saints' Day: Albert, Elizabeth, Francis and Gabriel

By our count, there are churches at four locations in the Baldwin-Whitehall area named after specific saints: 1) , 2) , 3)  and 4) .

In honor of All Saints' Day (Nov. 1), here are brief descriptions of the saints for whom those organizations are named:

1) St. Albert the Great is the patron saint of scientists. He was also known as Albertus Magnus and Albert of Cologne. According to Catholic Online, this Catholic saint "achieved fame for his comprehensive knowledge of and advocacy for the peaceful coexistence of science and religion."

" ... He was among the first and greatest of the natural scientists," the site also says, "gaining a reputation for expertise in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geography, metaphysics and mathematics. He was also very learned in biblical studies and theology."

2) St. Elizabeth of Hungary is the patron saint of bakers, countesses, death of children, falsely accused, the homeless, nursing services, tertiaries, widows and young brides. This Catholic saint was a princess of Hungary and, according to Catholic Online, "le(d) an austerely simple life, practiced penance and devoted herself to works of charity ... in spite of her (royal) position."

3) St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals, merchants and ecology. This Catholic saint, according to Catholic Online, "was constantly happy, charming and a born leader." (Technically, the "church" on the Sisters of St. Francis campus is known as the Mary Immaculate Chapel.)

4) St. Gabriel Francis of Our Lady of Sorrows is the patron saint of students, young people and clerics. The Catholic saint was born as Francis Possenti and died young at the age of 24. According to Catholic Online, he "was well liked by his peers and had a reputation for great charity and piety."