10 inspiring dads from the Bible and Catholic history

As Father’s Day approaches, it’s worth pausing to give thanks for the many ways fathers shape our lives. Some guide us with wisdom, others nurture us with patience, and many quietly sacrifice for the good of their families. In the Bible and throughout Catholic history, we encounter fathers who embodied these virtues in extraordinary ways. Their stories continue to inspire us, not only as parents, but as people striving to live with faith, courage and love.

Here are 10 fathers whose lives show what fatherhood, at its best, can look like.

1 The generous dad: Caleb

Caleb, one of the faithful scouts sent by Moses into Canaan, is remembered for his courage and trust in God. But he was also a generous father. When his daughter Achsah married Othniel, Caleb gave her land as a wedding gift. When she asked for springs of water to accompany the dry land, ‘he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs’ (Joshua 15:19). Caleb’s willingness to give more than asked shows a father’s desire to bless his children abundantly. His example reminds us that generosity, rooted in love, nourishes families across generations.

2 The adoptive dad: St Joseph

St Joseph is perhaps the most famous father figure in Christian history, though he was not Jesus’ biological father. Chosen to be the guardian of Mary and her child, Joseph teaches us that fatherhood is more than bloodlines—it’s about love, presence, and protection. The Gospels describe him as ‘a righteous man’ (Matthew 1:19), willing to put aside his own plans to do God’s will. Tradition remembers Joseph as a quiet, steady worker who provided for his family through his carpentry. In every sense, he was the faithful presence Jesus needed as he grew ‘in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man’ (Luke 2:52).

3 The teachable dad: Zechariah

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, shows us that even fathers can learn and grow in faith. A priest of Israel, he struggled to believe the angel’s announcement that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son in her old age. For his doubt, he was struck mute until the child’s birth (Luke 1:20). But when the time came to name the boy, Zechariah obeyed God’s command, writing, ‘His name is John’ (Luke 1:63). In that moment his speech returned, and he burst into praise, blessing God for his faithfulness. Zechariah’s story reminds us that humility and openness to God can make us better parents.

4 The faithful dad: Jairus

Jairus, a synagogue leader, appears only briefly in the Gospels, but his faith speaks volumes about fatherhood. When his young daughter was dying, he fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live’ (Mark 5:23). His desperation shows the heart of a father who will do anything for his child. Even when news came that she had died, Jairus clung to hope, and Jesus restored her to life. Jairus reminds us that faith and persistence can bring light in the darkest moments.

5 The virtuous dad: St Basil the Elder

St Basil the Elder (c. 329–379) may not be as well-known as his children, but his legacy speaks through them. With his wife, St Emmelia, he raised a family of saints, including St Basil the Great, St Gregory of Nyssa, St Macrina the Younger, and St Peter of Sebaste. A lawyer and teacher in Cappadocia, Basil was remembered less for personal achievement than for his faith and virtue. By making God the foundation of his household, he gave his children the grounding they needed to flourish spiritually and intellectually. His example reminds us that holiness in parents often bears fruit in generations to come.

6 The role-model dad: St Stephen of Hungary

The first King of Hungary, St Stephen (c. 975–1038), saw his role as both monarch and father as a sacred duty. With his wife Gisela of Bavaria, he raised children in a spirit of faith, including his son St Emeric. To Emeric he wrote a famous letter, urging him to cultivate humility, justice, and mercy: ‘Humility exalts, pride debases.’ Stephen’s guidance was not just about ruling a kingdom but about shaping a holy life. By weaving Christian values into his family and his people, he left a legacy of faith that endures in Hungary to this day.

7 The diligent dad: St Isidore the Farmer

St Isidore the Farmer (c. 1070–1130) was a simple man of Madrid whose life shows the dignity of hard work. Known for his devotion to prayer, he rose early each day to attend Mass before heading to the fields. Legends say that angels sometimes helped plough his land while he prayed, ensuring his family never lacked. Married to St Maria de la Cabeza, Isidore’s diligence and humility sustained his household. His life shows that providing for one’s family with honesty and faith is a path to holiness, even in the most ordinary of circumstances.

8 The principled dad: St Thomas More

St Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, was not only a statesman and martyr but also a devoted father of four. Known for his wit and learning, he insisted on giving his daughters the same quality of education as his son—a radical move in the 16th century. Along with his biological children, he also welcomed a stepdaughter, and was guardian to two other girls, caring for them as though they were his own children. His letters reveal his deep affection, particularly for his eldest daughter Margaret. When faced with pressure to betray his conscience by approving King Henry VIII’s break from Rome, he refused, famously declaring at his trial, ‘I die the King’s faithful servant, but God’s first.’ More’s integrity showed his children that faith and principle outweigh worldly success.

9 The compassionate dad: Venerable Pierre Toussaint

Born into slavery in Haiti in 1766, Pierre Toussaint was brought to New York, where he eventually gained freedom and became a successful hairdresser and philanthropist. Though he and his wife Juliette had no children of their own, they adopted his orphaned niece Euphemia and raised her with love and care. Known for his generosity, he used his wealth to support orphans, widows and the poor of New York City. Toussaint’s compassion shows that fatherhood is not limited to biology; it is about generosity of spirit and the willingness to nurture others in need.

10 The devout dad: St Louis Martin

Louis Martin, the father of St Thérèse of Lisieux, embodied a quiet devotion that inspired his children, with five of his daughters entering religious life. A watchmaker by trade, Louis was also a man of deep prayer. His goal, he once said, was simple: ‘My desire is to love God with all my heart.’ After his wife Zélie died young, Louis continued raising their daughters with tenderness and strength, guiding them towards lives of faith. His patience, devotion and joy in God made him a model of holiness in everyday family life.