Following in the foosteps of the saints?

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TraditionalCath

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as you know, i want to have deep devotions. i do, but i also want to know if it is okay to follow in the footsteps of the saints? like having them as an example to follow? for instance, reading about their lives, and realizing how holy they are, and having that as an example in your mind so you draw closer to Christ Jesus.
 
Absolutely, as Catholics, following the Saints’ lives doesn’t mean we don’t follow Jesus for the Saints themselves following the footsteps of Jesus.

The Saints are one of our great treasures 🙂
 
It surely can be an excellent source of spiritual guidance to spend time reading their lives, if you have the time. Already, you know how much you were inspired by St. Faustina. The mind becomes a virtual data base of “how-to’s” and just when you most need an instruction, the Holy Spirit can bring to your memory an example of theirs that might just fit your situation.

Another beautiful benefit is that it keeps us humble when we see how far we are from their holiness, while giving us encouragement to keep trying to ‘win the prize,’ as St. Paul worded it.

The only caution I would make is not to follow some of their penances without specifc spiritual direction. If you are familiar with St. Catherine of Siena’s Dialogue, the Lord gave her detailed instructions on the use of penances - - many of our own choosing are not spiritually beneficial.

I like the simplicity of St. Therese’s Little Way, and the Resolutions of St. Gabriel, which are quite similar to her thinking.
 
Yes as others have said it is good to follow the example of the Saints. I would also say that you must follow your own path though as God draws you. Each of us have our own path as each of us are in His Image and so each person is a small individual reflection of God.

You must go the way that the Lord leads you; He does not take one on the same path He will take another. You must be who you are in the likeness of Christ Jesus. No-one can be another St Therese or St Paul etc, but we can learn great things about God from their lives and how God lead them.

Saints are simply people who allowed God to lead them and they did not resist Him nor did they stop persevering even in the face of their own sins and frailities.

To know your path in Jesus keep close to Him in prayer and He will show you the way the Father wills for you by the power of the Holy Spirit. Be courageous to follow Jesus in His Ways and you will find your true self in Him and who He desires you to be, in truth the ‘Saint’ He desires is already within you, all the outer layers need peeling away until you are a bright light in His likeness and this is what remains after He has recreated you.

Pray and be led in prayer by the Holy Spirit.

In my Living Prayer of life.
 
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