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Krisdun
Guest
Even if so few of us humans eventually become saints?
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CroatCatholic
Guest
God doesn’t want anyone to perish. He loves us all, unworthy sinners, and wants us to become holy and live with Him in Heaven.
The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance. 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance. 2 Peter 3:9
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neophyte
Guest
Yes.Does God create everyone intending them to become saints?
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ReaderT
Guest
Yes he does. That’s our calling and goal in life.Does God create everyone intending them to become saints?
Also, there are Saints who are not canonized (at least this is how we Orthodox view it). The Canonized & glorified Saints are the humans that God chose to reveal as Saints for our veneration & imitation, but there are other non-canonized people who were just as holy. I’m not sure if Catholics also believe that, though.
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Phillip_Rolfes
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It depends on what you mean by “saints.”
If you’re asking if God wills for all of us to work out our salvation in fear and trembling in the everyday circumstances of our day-to-day lives, being faithful to Him in the little things, growing in our relationship with him, uprooting sin and nurturing virtue, etc. then yes. As I’ve heard at least one author put it, holiness (i.e. sainthood) is the normal vocation of all Christians.
But if by “saints” you’re thinking of having great mystical experiences, performing miracles and levitating, being an active missionary to foreign countries, performing extraordinary mortifications, and the other things we normally associate with “sainthood,” then no. We’re not all called to that.
If you’re asking if God wills for all of us to work out our salvation in fear and trembling in the everyday circumstances of our day-to-day lives, being faithful to Him in the little things, growing in our relationship with him, uprooting sin and nurturing virtue, etc. then yes. As I’ve heard at least one author put it, holiness (i.e. sainthood) is the normal vocation of all Christians.
But if by “saints” you’re thinking of having great mystical experiences, performing miracles and levitating, being an active missionary to foreign countries, performing extraordinary mortifications, and the other things we normally associate with “sainthood,” then no. We’re not all called to that.
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Dorothy
Guest
Yes, Catholics believe that too. There are many uncanonized saints we will meet in heaven.
Some are held up as examples and encouragement for us, so they are canonized.
Some are held up as examples and encouragement for us, so they are canonized.
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Dorothy
Guest
And, not all saints were “mystics”, except those who were called for that.
The graces are available for all of us who strive to be saints!
The graces are available for all of us who strive to be saints!
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Yes, he creates us all intending and wanting us all to go to Heaven, which is what being a “saint” means.
One doesn’t have to be officially canonized by the Church to be a saint.
We’re all called to be saints.
One doesn’t have to be officially canonized by the Church to be a saint.
We’re all called to be saints.
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Phillip_Rolfes
Guest
As with “saint,” it depends on what you mean by “mystics.” We’re all called to a kind of “everyday mysticism” (i.e. finding and experiencing God in the people and circumstances of everyday life). For example: Yesterday my eight-year-old son confidently announced to me that he now knows why God made mosquitoes. When I asked him why, he replied, “To teach us patience.”not all saints were “mystics”, except those who were called for that.
“Out of the mouths of babes…”
Or another example: Going for a walk in a part or hiking in the woods and experiencing God’s beauty by experiencing the beauty of His creation.
These are the “everyday” mystical experiences that we’re all called to tune our hearts to.
But visions, locutions, revelations, levitations, miracle-working, and other sorts of extraordinary mystical experiences are special graces. And it’s important to note that they’re not always reserved for the extraordinarily holy. Look at Paul’s encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus. Or the mystical “wall” that blocked St. Mary of Egypt (who was a prostitute at the time) from entering a church. Or the voice that St. Augustine heard telling him to “pick up and read” the Scriptures. Examples abound.
The point is, extraordinary mystical experiences are not signs of holiness. They’re simply extraordinary graces from God.
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Phillip_Rolfes
Guest
As another has pointed out, this is certainly Catholic teaching as well. That’s why we celebrate both “All Souls Day” and “All Saints Day.”
In my opinion, it’s often those “hidden” saints who were the holiest. Their humility was so deep and true that they remained hidden among us both in this life and in the next.
In my opinion, it’s often those “hidden” saints who were the holiest. Their humility was so deep and true that they remained hidden among us both in this life and in the next.
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Dorothy
Guest
I agree with your post!
Recently, I re-read the book about St. Gemma Galgani. What I had in mind is her life of suffering offered up to the Lord. Also, Padre Pio.
I am aware that it is not necessary to be a “mystic” to become sanctified. And that the Lord can and does grant supernatural favors to all - some we just do not recognize.
Yes, they are extraordinary graces from God, given to help others to sit up and take notice that God exists!
That was certainly wisdom from your son about mosquitoes! (and lots of other things in this world!)
Recently, I re-read the book about St. Gemma Galgani. What I had in mind is her life of suffering offered up to the Lord. Also, Padre Pio.
I am aware that it is not necessary to be a “mystic” to become sanctified. And that the Lord can and does grant supernatural favors to all - some we just do not recognize.
Yes, they are extraordinary graces from God, given to help others to sit up and take notice that God exists!
That was certainly wisdom from your son about mosquitoes! (and lots of other things in this world!)
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Vico
Guest
Proximate to Faith (sententia fidei proxima): a doctrine which is generaally regarded by theologians as a truth of Revelation, yet it has not yet been finally promulgated as such by the Church.Even if so few of us humans eventually become saints?
Despite men’s sins God truly and earnestly desires the salvation of all men. (Sent. fidei proxima.)
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