Best Saints

[CRATUS]

What is the most realistic saint to read about? Some were either too mystical that I could relate to. Or they were nuns. I love the penitential saints but they too lived their life in extremes. What is a normal average, maybe lukewarm saint? They had not miraculous immediate conversion. They were sinful but not like a prostitute or thief , just the run of the mill sinner.

 

[Gertabelle]

What is the most realistic saint to read about? Some were either too mystical that I could relate to. Or they were nuns. I love the penitential saints but they too lived their life in extremes. What is a normal average, maybe lukewarm saint? They had not miraculous immediate conversion. They were sinful but not like a prostitute or thief , just the run of the mill sinner.

Well, that is rather a tall order there.

Saints are declared “Saints” because they are not just “run of the mill” sinners. One of the conditions that needs to be proved pretty early on in the process is that the person displayed heroic virtue.

Think about it – Heroic. Virtue.

Saints do sin, of course. But something about them is, in fact, distinct from the rest of us or everyone who sits their rear end in the pews would be declared a Saint.

As for more “normal” Saints… Many of the martyrs were pretty “normal” until they had to make a choice and chose to take a stand for their faith.

St Gianna was a wife, a mom, and a physician. She’s modern and could be a good place for you to start.

The parents of St Therese of Lisieux – Sts Louis and Zelie Martin were “normal” in the sense of being married, having children, owning a business…

Some of the Saints were lukewarm in their earlier years, and had they passed away before experiencing a conversion to heroic virtues, they would not have been declared a Saint of the Church. Being lukewarm and being a Saint are not really compatible

 

[GEddie]

You don’t get sainthood by being lukewarm.

In fact, great saints and great sinners have one thing in common, that both require great effort.

ICXC NIKA

 

[dmar198]

You don’t get sainthood by being lukewarm.

In fact, great saints and great sinners have one thing in common, that both require great effort.

ICXC NIKA

I think he means lukewarm at first, and showing heroic faith later. Cratus can correct me if I’m wrong.

St. Thomas More comes to mind. He seemed to be a pretty ordinary guy, wife and children and a job…as the king’s councilor, but I don’t think he was particularly heroic in that role. Someone who knows more can correct me, but I think he just did ordinary councilor stuff. And then Henry VIII demanded he abjure the pope, and he quietly told him he couldn’t. The king insisted, and that was where his heroic virtue finally took off (unless I’m all wrong and he was heroic before that too): he wouldn’t give up on the pope, so he got put in prison, he still wouldn’t give up on the pope, and he got put on trial, and he made a really cool speech about remaining Catholic, and he got killed. And then canonized. Sort of a fast-track to heaven. Unless I’ve muffed up his history, which is probable.

 

[esieffe]

You don’t get sainthood by being lukewarm.

ICXC NIKA/QUOTE

OP, consider exploring why and how people become Saints. I think if you really understood that your question would have been phrased differently.

 

[CRATUS]

Like an everyday girl. If you have ever watched A Walk to Remember, I considered Jamie Sullivan a saint but she was a just a school girl with cancer. I love Blessed Chiara.

 

[v21337304]

All saints are “best”. Some began as sinners and converted like St. Augustine. But then that may be difficult for you. Go to St. Francis of Assisi or St. Anthony of Padua. St Maria Goretti lived a simple life. Or find a book with simple stories of the saints. You may then chose the best you like. One I admire most is St. Rita of Cassia: mother, widow, nun. A perfect example of a woman who did her best to please God. But there are many others.

 

[jaimeleglise]

St. Brother Andre of Montreal was a monastery doorkeeper. He was very holy but had ordinary tasks.

 

[Hgh0007]

I think I know what you mean, at least for female saints. It seems like every one of them is a virgin, nun or martyr. Even St. Cecelia got married but wouldn’t sleep with her husband. When I was researching saints I was looking for someone who was a saint because they followed God in there everyday normal life. I wouldn’t describe it as lukewarm, just something a little more relatable.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal had a loving husband, great marriage, and children. She took over the finances for her house and worked hard. She always gave to the poor and put God first. After her husband was killed, she was able to forgive his killer.

St. Rose Venerini realized that many women in her town didn’t know a lot about their own religion, like how to pray the rosary, so she decided to teach them. She ended up opening many schools.

St. Margaret of Scotland/ less relatable because she’s a queen, but still a loving wife and mother.

St. Monica prayed and prayed for her son to leave his life of sin and follow God, and boy did he! Her son is st. Augustine.

And also people from the bible are great examples to look up to!

 

[crystal_waters]

What is the most realistic saint to read about? Some were either too mystical that I could relate to. Or they were nuns. I love the penitential saints but they too lived their life in extremes. What is a normal average, maybe lukewarm saint? They had not miraculous immediate conversion. They were sinful but not like a prostitute or thief , just the run of the mill sinner.

This book sounds like just what you are looking for

cenacle.co.uk/secular-saints.html

Its full of regular saints from the laity