Need Saint Ideas for 7th Graders

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lady_Cygnus
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

Lady_Cygnus

Guest
Hi Everyone!

I’m teaching a 7th grade RE class and I want a couple good saints to talk about. I’ve already planned to talk about St Dominic because he’s my favorite, but kids this age like a lot of miracles and blood and gore. I know there are a couple out there that did a lot, but I can only think of one off the top of my head and that’s St Christina the Astonishing 😛

Basically I’m looking for saints that 7th graders would consider “cool”, and I don’t think they were very impressed with St Jerome last week :rolleyes:

Any suggestions?
 
well I am meeting with the 7th graders tonight and believe me, they’re no saints.

We do saints in November with this group, in a unit called Saints and Heroes, and we try to find saints who were martyrs (in spectacular ways if possible), those who started something new in the face of criticism and adversity, those who took risks and left behind comfort and safety to follow God’s call. We try to amass the resources and lead the kids on the research, and we are getting better at that.

try your textbook publisher and see if their website has a saints link, or try the saints links on most Catholic sites, americancatholic.com is one good one.

ask them to come up with a list of things every bona fide saint should have and find a saint to match their criteria

ask them to list what changes they need in their own lives to become like their favorite saint.
 
Saint Patrick is pretty cool…he drove out all the snakes :).

Bl. Kateri Tekawitha (my patron) was a teen when she ran away and became a Christian.

Saint Francis of Assisi and St. Francis Xavier both have awesome stories.

St. Padre Pio - incredible stories!

Bl. Teresa of Calcutta - most should remember her or at least hearing about her enough 🙂

Any young virgin martyr saint - always had my attention as a young teen

There’s so many with fascinating lives and miracles!!! 😃
 
Here is a link to the saints on my webstore agapeicons.com/site/1286684/page/768982

Some are Orthodox Saints which may not work, but the icons are there and may give you some unusal info.

Here are a few I specially like, they might find interesting…

“St. Fanourios”
Known only to God, St. Fanourios is the finder of lost things. This came about due to his image on an icon being discovered by nomadic pegans among old church ruins. They discarded it and some monks hiding in the ruins found it after they left, it was perfect as though it had just been written/painted. The scenes of torture on it were most alarming and an indication to the Bishop of that time that Fanourios was truly a saint.
“St. Sebastian, the Martyrdom”
Arrested and persecuted for being a Christian, Sebastian was tied to a tree, shot with arrows, and left for dead. He survived, recovered, and returned to preach to Diocletian. The emperor then had him beaten to death.
St. Sophia & Her Daughters; Faith, Love, and Hope
St. Sophia and her three daughters would not stop sharing the true word of God and refused to deny Christ. Then as each of her daughters would not denounce their Christian Faith, they were slain in front of their mother and finally St. Sophia was also put to death by the Roman Ruler.
“St. George killing the Dragon”
Captain in the Roman Army, St. George, in defiance tore up an edict of Emperor Diocletian ordering the persecution of Christians. His battle with the devil is symbolized by the dragon, and his saving the Holy Church, is shown by the king’s daughter. His riding a white horse is indicative of God’s grace carrying him to the heroism of martyrdom. A great church was built over his tomb in Lyda of Palestine by Constantine the Great. http://www.agapeicons.com/site/1286684/page/768982
 
These are also saints of the Eastern Catholic Church, but I just looked quickly and found it in this Orthodox site…

The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
These Forty were all Roman soldiers, but devoted to Christ. A persecution arose under Licinius, and they were accused before their commander. He threatened to strip them of their military status. One of them said that even if he were to take from them their bodies, they would still serve Christ, as He was more dear to them than life itself. The commander ordered them to be stoned. But the stones turned around in mid-air to fall on those who had thrown them. One smashed the teeth of the commander. Then they drove the 40 into a freezing lake with guards all around it. They also set up hot baths on the shore to tempt any of the soldiers to desert Christ and save their skin. One did. Forty crowns descended from Heaven and hovered over the lake. 39 landed on the heads of those who were steadfast. Another soldier who had been guarding them saw this and grabbed the 40th crown from the air, professed Christ and joined the others in the lake. The lake miraculously warmed, so they remained alive until the next day. So the commander had their legs broken and threw them into the lake to drown. They suffered in the year 320.

comeandseeicons.com/pdl01.htm
 
No question about it. A “cool” saint is Jolly Ol’ St. Nick himself!

I converted to the faith 4 years ago, I was sitting in the school office with the RCIA gang and the formation director and had to select a Saint for upcoming confirmation as an adult. Being that I was already baptized I was scheduled to be welcomed into the church on December the 8th. Well, Saint Nicholas Day is December the 6th and so I took a look at his life and was amazed to rediscover in my adulthood that there really is a Santa Claus! His charitable work to celebrate Christ’s birth and the stories surrounding ancient traditions such as hanging stockings were a lot of fun to learn. Especially at this time of the year!
<>
McKevin
Click to expand...
 
I think St. Maria Goretti (who died at the age of 12) is a good choice. I just used her as an example in my 7th/8th grade class. PopePius XII considered her a model of purity.

St. Therese of Lisieux – entered a convent at age 15 and died at the age of 24 and became a doctor of the church, one of only 3 women to do so

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (I think I spelled that right) a young, athletic man

St. Camillus de Lellis – kicked out of his home at age 16 because he was so unruly and argumentative and became a saint 🙂
 
Lady_Cygnus said:
Hi Everyone!

I’m teaching a 7th grade RE class and I want a couple good saints to talk about. I’ve already planned to talk about St Dominic because he’s my favorite, but kids this age like a lot of miracles and blood and gore. I know there are a couple out there that did a lot, but I can only think of one off the top of my head and that’s St Christina the Astonishing 😛

Basically I’m looking for saints that 7th graders would consider “cool”, and I don’t think they were very impressed with St Jerome last week :rolleyes:

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Blood and gore? Saint Philomena! Not to mention all the miracles attrributed to her later on
 
Tales of St. Nicholas you have never heard…

+Archbishop Joseph Raya of Blessed Memory use to tell us this story of St. Nicolas…

Saints (Un)Preserve Us: St. Nicholas Resurrects Pickled Boys!
Code: 
                                             				An evil shopkeeper chops up and pickles three boys. A fourth-century saint comes to the rescue.  					By Martha Ainsworth                                                                                                               				                 

		      			[beliefnet.com/imgs/v4/printPage.gif](javascript:var x = window.open('/story/56/story_5672.html');)
The historic St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra, in Asia Minor. St. Nicholas is traditionally considered the patron saint of children, particularly boys. In fact, in medieval England, it was the custom on St. Nicholas’ Day (December 6) to choose a choirboy from the cathedral choir as “Bishop for a Day.” Some cathedral museums still have their “boy bishop” vestments on display. http://www.beliefnet.com/imgs/content/story/pickled.jpg Icon: St. Nicholas and the Three Slain Boys **

The association is traced to the legend of St. Nicholas and the Three Pickled Boys. Tradition has it that an evil shopkeeper in the town of Myra hated children. He kidnapped three small boys, chopped them up with an axe, and pickled them in a barrel. St. Nicholas, upon hearing of this horror, prayed fervently to God. Because of the purity of his faith, the boys were raised to life and wholeness again and came out of the pickle barrel singing “Alleluia!” and giving thanks to God. **

The legend of St. Nicholas and the Three Pickled Boys was popularized in this century by the composer Benjamin Britten in his well-known cantata “St. Nicolas” (op. 42). The witty choral work, with poetry by Eric Crozier, tells the life of the saint in song; three choirboys sing the part of the Pickled Boys, always an audience favorite.

For several years at Christmastime, Godiva Chocolate produced a large, solid chocolate St. Nicholas figure which had at his feet three boys and a pickle barrel.

** The illustration shows what is believed to be the only existing icon depicting this legend. The evil shopkeeper’s axe is visible in the lower right corner. To make a theological point, the artist has made the pickle barrel a baptismal font, symbolizing death and rebirth.**
beliefnet.com/story/56/story_5672_1.html

This is another one…
stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=468
 
St Joan of Arc is an excellent one - singlehandedly convinced the King of France that she was sent by God to save the country, fought in battle, defeated the English invaders, was tried as a witch and burnt at the stake all before she was nineteen! Talk about overachieving.
 
Pani_Rose said:
Tales of St. Nicholas you have never heard…

+Archbishop Joseph Raya of Blessed Memory use to tell us this story of St. Nicolas…

Saints (Un)Preserve Us: St. Nicholas Resurrects Pickled Boys!
Code: 
                                             				An evil shopkeeper chops up and pickles three boys. A fourth-century saint comes to the rescue.  					By Martha Ainsworth                                                                                                               				                 

		      			[beliefnet.com/imgs/v4/printPage.gif](javascript:var x = window.open('/story/56/story_5672.html');)
The historic St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra, in Asia Minor. St. Nicholas is traditionally considered the patron saint of children, particularly boys. In fact, in medieval England, it was the custom on St. Nicholas’ Day (December 6) to choose a choirboy from the cathedral choir as “Bishop for a Day.” Some cathedral museums still have their “boy bishop” vestments on display. http://www.beliefnet.com/imgs/content/story/pickled.jpg Icon: St. Nicholas and the Three Slain Boys **

The association is traced to the legend of St. Nicholas and the Three Pickled Boys. Tradition has it that an evil shopkeeper in the town of Myra hated children. He kidnapped three small boys, chopped them up with an axe, and pickled them in a barrel. St. Nicholas, upon hearing of this horror, prayed fervently to God. Because of the purity of his faith, the boys were raised to life and wholeness again and came out of the pickle barrel singing “Alleluia!” and giving thanks to God. **

The legend of St. Nicholas and the Three Pickled Boys was popularized in this century by the composer Benjamin Britten in his well-known cantata “St. Nicolas” (op. 42). The witty choral work, with poetry by Eric Crozier, tells the life of the saint in song; three choirboys sing the part of the Pickled Boys, always an audience favorite.

For several years at Christmastime, Godiva Chocolate produced a large, solid chocolate St. Nicholas figure which had at his feet three boys and a pickle barrel.

** The illustration shows what is believed to be the only existing icon depicting this legend. The evil shopkeeper’s axe is visible in the lower right corner. To make a theological point, the artist has made the pickle barrel a baptismal font, symbolizing death and rebirth.**
beliefnet.com/story/56/story_5672_1.html

This is another one…
stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=468
Click to expand...
Thanks. I heard the story before but not to this extent, and I thought I read all about him!

St. Nick is also the patron Saint of Beer Brewers 🙂
<>
McKevin
Click to expand...
 
St. Francis Xavier
St. Maximillian Kolbe
St. Sebastian

These are some of my son’s favorites.
 
A role model for boys St Tarcisius and for girls Blessed Imelda Lambertini great eucharistic saints and very inspiring role models.
 
There is a book called Modern Saints you may want to check out; it’s a wonderful read and would suit your purpose. There is a picture of St. Gemma on the cover; she’d be a good one to start with.
 
Thanks for all your suggestions, they’ve helped a lot. This should give me a lot to go on and hopefully keep these not so saintly 7th graders engaged for an hour 😉
 
Blessed Miguel Pro

A Practical Jokester :D, someone who struggled with his faith for a bit when he was younger, but in the end, was a great Martyr.👍
 
Lady_Cygnus said:
Hi Everyone!

I’m teaching a 7th grade RE class and I want a couple good saints to talk about. I’ve already planned to talk about St Dominic because he’s my favorite, but kids this age like a lot of miracles and blood and gore. I know there are a couple out there that did a lot, but I can only think of one off the top of my head and that’s St Christina the Astonishing 😛

Basically I’m looking for saints that 7th graders would consider “cool”, and I don’t think they were very impressed with St Jerome last week :rolleyes:

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
St. Pius X Ora Pro Nobis! (my favorite Saint, arguably up there with Mary and Joseph)

St. Josemaria Escriva would be good as well.

St. Micheal the Archangel (as a young boy I liked this saint for all the wrong reasons = sword, armor, and arse-kicking posture) 👍
 
When I was a catechist my students found St Maria Goretti and St. Germaine Cousin most captivating. But I must say what surprised them the most of all were stories of Eucharistic miracles - not only were they interested but my hope is this helped them to believe in the true presence of our Lord.

I think the stories of any/all of the virgin martyrs is good too.
 
St. Maria Goretti, I believe she was fourteen years old, or maybe even less. She died because she was stabbed many times by her attacker because she would not give in to his impure advances.

She forgave him while she was dying, and while he was in prison he had a vivid dream of her offering him lilies, in the same number of the times he had stabbed her.

He later converted.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top