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

[Tis_Bearself]

I thought sainthood required confirmation of two miracles, which I very highly doubt to be Tolkien’s case. Am I mistaken?

You’re not mistaken, but the article is really jumping the gun by making it sound like the guy is at the point of being made a saint like, next year or something.
He doesn’t even have an official sainthood cause opened yet, which is the first step.
Usually miracles occur during the time the cause is active. Which can be many, many years.

 

[Joe_5859]

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.

I didn’t mean to give the impression that it was likely the pope would make an exception with regards to miracles for these two. I threw it in there as an aside because, technically, the pope is not bound by those rules and he can (and has) made exceptions. Though, as TisBear noted, it is generally for high-profile popes and martyrs, not British authors.

 

[mVitus]

It would be kind of awesome if Tolkein was canonized. (I haven’t read Chesterton, so there’s no personal connection.) I’ll agree with others that he doesn’t seem like the kind of person to be canonized, but I wouldn’t complain.

 

[KyPerson]

I’ve seen this accusation before. From what I have gathered, Chesterton’s brother Cecil probably was anti-Semitic. As for GKC, I don’t think so. Society back then dropped casual slurs against people who were not Church of England, and there were slurs against Catholics. I suspect Chesterton probably heard quite a few of them himself.

 

[Sarcelle]

Tolkien in his letters also considered his mother a martyr for her faith.

 

[kill051]

I’ve seen this accusation before. From what I have gathered, Chesterton’s brother Cecil probably was anti-Semitic. As for GKC, I don’t think so. Society back then dropped casual slurs against people who were not Church of England, and there were slurs against Catholics. I suspect Chesterton probably heard quite a few of them himself.

I couldn’t swear to it, but it is my impression that the level of anti-Semitism in Victorian and Edwardian England was quite high, particularly amongst the upper classes, amounting practically to a secular article of faith. If that is true, even a profound thinker like Chesterton could have been unwittingly tainted by it.

 

[Limoncello4021]

One can write very wonderful things that influence people for the better, convert many, etc. But the focus is on their personal sanctity. To date, I know little about this myself but look forward to exploring it.
Not being a science fiction fan, I have never really “got” Tolkien, I’ll admit. It may be heresy to say in some circles, but I was bored reading his works.

 

[SeriousQuestion]

(Mother) Saint Teresa is a good example of people finding things to complain about.

 

[YoungCatholicGuy]

Tolkien went to daily mass.

One of his son’s wrote to him that he was getting doubts about the faith, and Tolkien wrote back telling him, the only cure is: daily mass.

Tolkien also prayed to God for guidance before writing and believed God did send him inspiration.

Tolkien’s son Christopher said that no matter who Tolkien met; he would turn the conversation to God eventually.

Tolkien even converted CS Lewis from aetheism, and had much late conversations with him to try and convert him.

 

[Sarcelle]

One of the most beautiful quotes about the Blessed Sacrament made by Tolkien. This was said in a letter to his son, Michael.

“Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament … There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves upon earth … which every man’s heart desires” (J. R. R. Tolkien).

 

[KyPerson]

I think you are right. Casual anti-Semitism was rife among the upper classes back then.