J.R.R Tolkien and G.K. Chesterton being considered for sainthood

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It was through Tolkien that I left atheism and started my journey to belief.
 
Joe_5859 said:
Barring the pope making an exception to the rules, there would be miracles required before beatification and canonization.
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The Pope is not going to make an exception for some author.
The Pope makes such exceptions for martyrs and for deceased Popes and that sort of thing.
Tolkien and Chesterton will be expected to produce miracles.
 
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I appreciate that these two influenced and brought many here and elsewhere to the faith. But come on why would the Pope make an exception for them. Not going to happen. Without miracles.
 
Many have been brought to the faith through Lewis and Tolkien’s works, because even their fantasy stories used much christian allegories deliberately.

Tolkien once wrote: ‘Every word, must reflect The Word.’ (Jesus).
 
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YoungCatholicGuy said:
Amen.

A LOT of people who read tolkien/ cs lewis fantasy books, later opened up to the Catholic Faith,
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I am one of these. I first read the Chronicles of Narnia at age eleven, LOTR two or three years later. These works certainly planted the seed that led to my ultimate entry into the Church twenty-two years ago.
 
I have been missing out. I feel a bit dimmed-witted right now, because I didn’t notice any of this in Narnia except maybe the last part of the last book.
 
SeriousQuestion said:
I have been missing out. I feel a bit dimmed-witted right now, because I didn’t notice any of this in Narnia except maybe the last part of the last book.
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At age eleven, when I read the Narnia books for the first time, I was in the midst of being raised in an atheist household, with only the most minimal exposure to the Gospels, mainly through Händel’s Messiah and a chhildren’s Bible given to me by my grandmother. However, after reading about Aslan’s sacrifice in the first book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I instantly recognised it as the Passion story, with Aslan as Christ. This alerted me to watch for Biblical parallels as I made my way through the seven volumes.
 
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Did you recognize any similarities between our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection when Aslan sacrifices himself in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?

Also, the Genesis account of creation and the entry of evil into the world is paralleled in The Magician’s Nephew.

There are lots of wonderful Christian allegories when you start to watch for them. Just knowing Aslan=Jesus will make you long to be in Narnia with him. At least, it did for me. ❤️ 🦁
 
I haven’t read it in a long time and I was quite little. I was kind of a lapsed Catholic at that age. Hopefully I will be able to get them at the library tomorrow.
 
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So we can regard Lord of the Rings as a saintly work?
I thought he denied the Christian theme was intended.
 
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Tolkien hated allegory so he denied his works as allegorical.

He said the Lord of the Rings was essentially a Catholic work, becoming more so in the revision. I am paraphrasing this loosely. He sent his work to a priest friend of his and his friend remarked on finding Christian themes throughout. Tolkien was pleased when he heard that.

Have you read the Silmarillion? The beginning sounds like Genesis.
 
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Do you think LOTR is a Christian allegory? whether he meant it to be or not
(haven’t read silmarillon btw)
 
It is not an allegory but it echoes timeless truths and is a reflection of what Tolkien says to be the greatest fairy story of all time, the story of Jesus.
 
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Tolkien said initially the christian theme was unintentional, but became more and more deliberate in the writings as time went on.
 
Gandalf reflects Jesus.

Gandalf’s elvish ring of fire symbolizes the Holy Spirit.

Died and rose again in transfigured glory.

Lembas bread mirrors Eucharist.

The One Ring ring symbolized original sin
 
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Limoncello4021 said:
Sainthood means that they exhibited a heroic degree of charity, sanctity, in their personal lives. It is great if they had marvelous writings (they do), but this doesn’t a saint make.
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I agree @Limoncello4021 .

If the process for the canonization of Tolkien and Chesterton ever gets under way , I do hope they find evidence to justify canonization , but I never considered them as two men who would be declared saints .
 
I think Gandalf is kind of a mix of Christian figures: Moses and Jesus instantly come to mind. I thought sainthood required confirmation of two miracles, which I very highly doubt to be Tolkien’s case. Am I mistaken?
 
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People will find anything to complain about. I’m certain there are other saints that had similar views given the churches history with Jews.
 
Wesrock said:
I admire both men, and know them both to be devout Catholics, but sainthood? Maybe I don’t know enough about either man and their personal witness to the faith in their own lives.
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This was also my first thoughts. It would be good to read a biography of both men regarding living a saintly life. Saints are (among other things) influential and inspirational regarding their saintly lives. It would be great if this is found especially because their writing is so insightful and imaginative.
 
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