Skip to content
Profile
Subscribe
Explore Ways to Read Living Lutheran
ELCA Logo Logout
Subscribe
Explore Ways to Read Living Lutheran
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Nov. 17 – St. Elizabeth was born in Hungary in 1207. She was known for her acts of charity, service and generosity with the poor, care for people who were ill, and starting several hospitals.
St. Luke the Evangelist, Oct. 18 – St. Luke is credited with writing the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, as well as being a physician and a disciple of Paul. The Gospel of Luke pays special attention to Jesus’ concern for the poor and lost, and the healing justice that comes to us through faith in the life-giving Christ.
Thomas the apostle from the story in the Gospel of John. When Jesus appeared to the disciples, he said to Thomas: “‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!”’ (John 20:27-28)
St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4 – St. Francis was born into a wealthy family but eventually took a vow of poverty and committed his life to serving the poor, in the manner of Christ. He also believed that it is our responsibility, as stewards of God’s creation, to protect and enjoy nature and animals. Many congregations plan services for blessing pets and other animals on this day.
How many saints do we recognize and celebrate? By some counts, 800 to 10,000 or more. It all depends on how and whom you count, and whom you ask. As Lutheran Christians, our list of saints would be very long, since Luther taught that every Christian is simultaneously saint (just) and sinner. “Simul Iustus et Peccator” – as he put it in Latin.
All Saints Day, Nov. 1 – On this day we give thanks for the saints who have gone before us, for the saints still among us, and for the saints of God still to come – together forming the body of Christ. We remember people who strengthen and inspire our faith, give us hope, are generous and caring, teach and guide us, and witness to God’s love and presence in the world.

For all the saints

Do Lutherans recognize, remember and celebrate the lives of saints? Yes! We give thanks to God for those people throughout history and in our lives today who are faithful – yet not perfect –  witnesses of God’s love and presence in the world. We can relate to their human weaknesses and imperfections while at the same time find inspiration and guidance for our lives and faith through their example. Lutherans do not pray to or with saints, since we believe that Christ alone is our advocate and mediator and that God hears and attends to our every prayer.

Related Articles

Prayer for May 23
Prayer Ventures

Prayer for May 23

Every day, Living Lutheran offers a prayer for the day from the ELCA resource “Prayer ventures,” which can be downloaded here. These daily petitions are offered as a guide for your own prayer…
Bishop Curry responds to shooting at Islamic Center of San Diego
From The Presiding Bishop, Mission & Ministry

Bishop Curry responds to shooting at Islamic Center of San Diego

Yehiel Curry, presiding bishop of the ELCA, has issued a statement about the deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego earlier this week. “In a place devoted to…
A catalyst for meaningful dialogue
Theology & Beliefs

A catalyst for meaningful dialogue

How can faith and science move beyond conflict and into meaningful conversation? This was the question ELCA pastors Will Rose and Thomas Johnston were pondering when they created the podcast…

Member Benefit

Free Account Required

You have attempted to access a feature of this website that is only available to members of livinglutheran.org.

A free membership gives you a customized dashboard for curated content based on your interest, the ability to like and save articles, an optional subscription to a weekly email digest “LL Stories”, and more.

See all benefits

Sign up

Already have an account?

Welcome Back to Living Lutheran

Our new and improved website has an updated login system.

If you are a subscriber to the LL Stories email digest from before the introduction of the new website in December 2025, your account is intact, but your password will need to be reset unless you have a login for another ELCA website.

If you have a login for another ELCA website like community.elca.org, directory.elca.org or others you can use the password associated with that login.

Continue To Login

Choose Login

Log In To
Manage Subscription

Your print subscriptions can be managed and renewed through our publishing partner Cambey & West.
Manage Subscription

Log In
To Website

If you signed up on livinglutheran.org to personalize the website or subscribe to our email digest you can log in below.
Website Login

Explore Ways to Access Living Lutheran

Subscribe To
The Print Magazine

The quarterly print magazine Living Lutheran delivered right to your door.
Subscribe

Create
Website Account

Create a free account to access to exclusive online content, like and save articles, and optionally subscribe to our weekly email newsletter - LL Stories.
Create Account