On Becoming a Saint

[JamesCaruso]

In your opinion, how do individuals best place themselves in a position to be transformed by God into the saints we were all meant to be? Not a trick question. Not a debate. Just, what are the things you think most important in the pursuit of holiness? Is it bound to be different for everyone? Are there any general guidelines that should apply to all? Hopefully everyone here is involved in this lifelong process. I think it would be helpful to share your insights into the things you have discovered about the pursuit of holiness-- the dangers and pitfalls, the joys and encouragements, the signposts along the way. We’re all in this race together; let’s help each other get to the finish line. In fact, it’s a strange kind of race in which we might not make it to the finish line ourselves unless we do help each other get there, too.

 

[Miguelmdza]

Great question! Personally, I believe that God, to make a saint, first needs a sinner. After that, we, as sinners, should seek to receive the Sacraments frequently. St. John Paul II is a great example! He, as I recall, would go to Confession every week. And lastly, I believe that through sufferings, we can become pure and eventually reach Heaven (many saints suffered).

 

[Marie5890]

Great question! Personally, I believe that God, to make a saint, first needs a sinner. After that, we, as sinners, should seek to receive the Sacraments frequently. St. John Paul II is a great example! He, as I recall, would go to Confession every week. And lastly, I believe that through sufferings, we can become pure and eventually reach Heaven (many saints suffered).

I agree with this. I would add a humble sinner.

Humility is not an easy thing in our western culture, and certainly not in our American culture. (I use the parable of the tax collector and Pharisee as part of my examination of conscience. Which one am I more like any given day?)

Also a real examination of conscience against the back ground of the 10 Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount as well. (There are so many things that we make as our “god” that breaks the first one right off the bat)

And prayer. Meaning, a real, every day relationship with the Trinitarian God. (meaning look at the relationships in your everyday life, and then look at your relationship to God. Is it just as important? Just as strong?)

 

[Robert_Sock]

I find that The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis if it is followed,if it will prepare an individual for sainthood. Reading and following the saints, is also indispensable in becoming a saint.

Repentance and penance ares also key. One must embrace the Cross. Renouncing this miserable and corrupt material world are something else saints are eager to do.

LOVE!

 

[Robert_Sock]

The following will give you an idea what many saints followed:

“DENY yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” To many this saying of Jesus seems hard. But how much harder will it be to hear that word of doom, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire’. For those who now cheerfully hear and obey the word of the Cross will not tremble to hear the sentence of eternal damnation. The sign of the Cross will appear in the heavens, when Our Lord comes as Judge. Then will all the servants of the Cross, who in their lives conformed themselves to the Crucified, stand with confidence before Christ their Judge.

Why, then, do you fear to take up the Cross, which is the road to the Kingdom? In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross. Take up the Cross, therefore, and follow Jesus, and go forward into eternal life. Christ has gone before you, bearing His Cross; He died for you on the Cross, that you also may bear your cross, and desire to die on the cross with Him. For if you die with Him, you will also live with Him. And if you share His sufferings, you will also share His glory.

See how in the Cross all things consist and in dying on it all things depend. There is no other way to life and to true inner peace, than the way of the Cross, and of daily self-denial. Go where you will, seek what you will, you will find no higher way above nor safer way below than the road of the Holy Cross. Arrange and order all things to your own ideas and wishes, yet you will still find suffering to endure, whether you will or not, so you will always find the Cross. For you will either endure bodily pain, or suffer anguish of mind and spirit.

At times, God will withdraw from you; at times you will be troubled by your neighbour, and, what is more, you will be a burden to yourself. Neither can any remedy or comfort bring you relief, but you must bear it as long as God wills. For God desires that you learn to bear trials without comfort, that you may yield yourself wholly to Him, and grow more humble through tribulation. No man feels so deeply in his heart the Passion of Christ as he who has to suffer in like manner. The Cross always stands ready, and everywhere awaits you. You cannot escape it, wherever you flee for wherever you go, you bear yourself, and always find yourself Look up or down, without you or within, and everywhere you will find the Cross. And everywhere you must have patience, if you wish to attain inner peace, and win an eternal crown.

If you bear the cross willingly, it will bear you and lead you to your desired goal, where pain shall be no more; but it will not be in this life. If you bear the cross unwillingly, you make it a burden, and load yourself more heavily; but you must need bear it. If you cast away one cross, you will certainly find another, and perhaps a heavier.

Do you think to escape what no mortal man has been able to escape? Which of the Saints lived without cross or trial? Even our Lord Jesus Christ was never without sorrow and pain, as long as He lived. ‘Christ must needs suffer,’ said He, ‘and rise again from the dead, and so enter into His glory.’ Why, then, do you seek any other road than this royal road of the Holy Cross? The whole life of Christ was a cross and martyrdom; and do you look for rest and selfish pleasure?

You are greatly mistaken if you look for anything save to endure trials, for all this mortal life is full of troubles, and everywhere marked with crosses. The further a man advances in the spiritual life, the heavier and more numerous he finds the crosses, for his ever-deepening love of God makes more bitter the sorrows, this earthly exile.

Yet a man who is afflicted in many ways is not without solace and comfort, for he perceives the great benefit to be reaped from the bearing of his cross. For while he bears it with a good will, the whole burden is changed into hope of God’s comfort. And the more the body is subdued by affliction, the more is the spirit strengthened by grace within. Sometimes he is so greatly comforted by the desire to suffer adversity for love of conforming to the Cross of Christ, that he would not wish to be without grief and pain; for he knows that the more he can suffer for His sake, the more pleasing he will be to God. This desire does not spring from man’s own strength, but from the grace of Christ, which can and does affect such great things in the frail frame of man; so that which nature fears and avoids, he boldly meets and loves through ardor of spirit.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Oh, if only you were worthy to suffer for the Name of Jesus! How great and enduring a glory would be yours! How great would be the joy of the Saints of God! How edified your friends would be! For all men commend patience, although few are willing to suffer. It is right that you should suffer a little for the sake of Christ, since many suffer greater things for worldly motives.

Be assured of this, that you must live a dying life. And the more completely a man dies to self, the more he begins to live to God. No man is fit to understand heavenly things, unless he is resigned to bear hardships for Christ’s sake. Nothing is more acceptable to God, and nothing more salutary for yourself, than to suffer gladly for Christ’s sake. And if it lies in your choice, you should choose rather to suffer hardships for Christ’s sake, than to be refreshed by many consolations; for thus you will more closely resemble Christ and all His Saints. For our merit and spiritual progress does not consist in enjoying such sweetness and consolation, but rather in the bearing of great burdens and troubles.

Had there been a better way, more profitable to the salvation of mankind than suffering, then Christ would have revealed it in His word and life. But He clearly urges both His own disciples and all who wish to follow Him to carry the cross, saying, 'If any will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’ Therefore, when we have read and studied all things, let this be our final resolve: that through much tribulation we must enter the Kingdom of God.

Man is not by nature inclined to carry the cross, to love the cross, to chasten the body, and bring it into subjection; to refuse honours, to submit to insults with goodwill, to despise himself and welcome disparagement; to bear all adversity and loss, and to desire no kind of prosperity in this world. And if you trust in your own strength, you will be unable to achieve any of these things. But if you trust in the Lord, you will be given strength from Heaven, and the world and the flesh will become subject to your will. Neither will you fear your enemy the Devil, if you are armed with faith and signed with the Cross of Christ.

Resolve, then, as a good and faithful servant of Christ, manfully to bear the cross of your Lord, who was crucified for love of you. Prepare yourself to endure many trials and obstacles in this vale of tears; for such will be your lot wherever you are, and you will encounter them wherever you conceal yourself It must needs be so; nor is there any remedy or means of escape from ills and griefs; you must endure them. Drink lovingly the cup of your Lord, if you wish to be His friend, and to share all with Him. Leave consolations to God, to dispose as He wills. But set yourself to endure trials, regarding them as the greatest of all comforts, ‘for the sufferings of this present time are not worthily to be compared with the glory to come’, even though you alone were to endure them all.

When you have arrived at that state when trouble seems sweet and acceptable to you for Christ’s sake, then all is well with you, for you have found paradise upon earth. But so long as suffering is grievous to you and you seek to escape it, SO long will it go ill with you, for the trouble you try to escape will pursue you everywhere.

If you steel yourself as you must to suffer and to die, all will go better with you, and you will find peace. For although, like Saint Paul, you were 'caught up into the third heaven" you would not on this account be secured against suffering further adversity. For Jesus says, 'I will show him how great things he must suffer for My Name. Therefore, be prepared to suffer, if you wish to love Jesus and serve Him forever.
“The Imitation of Christ,” Book 2, Chapter 12

 

[jaimeleglise]

Yes, humility is truth. Knowing exactly who we are. Knowing that we can do nothing without God. All our best ideas are inspired by God.

Holiness brings wholeness and happiness.

To become a saint takes Charity. Great love of God and neighbor. St. Therese did little acts with great love. We can too. She quietly suffered insults, inconveniences, annoyances, illness, patiently for the love of God and to help save souls.

We are blessed to have available so many things to aid in our sanctification, the Mass, The Holy Eucharist, confession. We should receive the sacraments frequently with great love.
True devotion to Mary is a great way to become a Saint. Becoming consecrated to Jesus through Mary is a sure path. Praying the Rosary. Wearing the Brown Scapular. Fasting, praying, alms giving. Acts of charity, both the Spiritual and Corporeal are essential. Prayer is vital for our sanctification and for others both living and dead.
Spiritual reading is essential, too, especially the Bible and Imitation of Christ

 

[Robert_Sock]

please delete

 

[Marie5890]

IRenouncing this miserable and corrupt material world are something else saints are eager to do.

LOVE!

 

[jaimeleglise]

To become a Saint one must do the will of God with love.

Some of the roadblocks include dryness in prayer. We may experience a Dark night of the Soul in which we have dry prayer and we start to lose our faith and trust. I believe in these times we are closer to God than ever, at the foot of the Cross.

Often when we try to get closer to God the devil will try to attack us to discourage. God is way more powerful than him so we should not despair.

 

[houston1]

In your opinion, how do individuals best place themselves in a position to be transformed by God into the saints we were all meant to be? Not a trick question. Not a debate. Just, what are the things you think most important in the pursuit of holiness? Is it bound to be different for everyone? Are there any general guidelines that should apply to all? Hopefully everyone here is involved in this lifelong process. I think it would be helpful to share your insights into the things you have discovered about the pursuit of holiness-- the dangers and pitfalls, the joys and encouragements, the signposts along the way. We’re all in this race together; let’s help each other get to the finish line. In fact, it’s a strange kind of race in which we might not make it to the finish line ourselves unless we do help each other get there, too.

Doing the following every day: pray the rosary, attend Mass, receive the Eucharist
Go to confession every week

 

[ClearWater]

Also, I think it’d be helpful to do the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

 

[mls2593]

Also, I think it’d be helpful to do the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Definitely! I have often found that in doing these I have experienced some of the most joyful moments of my life. In my experience, in doing the works of mercy, what truly matters most in life comes to the forefront and compassion and love for neighbor is increased so much.

These as well as our prayer lives (conversing with God throughout the day, giving thanks, reading scripture) and the sacraments I think are the biggest components in growing in holiness. I have found that going to daily mass when I am able has helped me so much in growing in faith and love for our Lord.

 

[BigRedpg51]

I’ve had several priests tell me the same advice…“A saint is nothing more than a sinner who kept on coming back.”

When we fall into sin, we should try our best to confess our sins as quickly as possible, with the firm intention of trying to avoid all sin in the future.

Will we fall into sin again? It’s possible. But, if that should happen, we must go to confession again…and again…and again…and again…(get the point?). We must not let the devil leave us in a state of sin. We must not give him the satisfaction of thinking “AH! NOW I’VE GOT HIM!! HE’LL GIVE UP NOW, FOREVER!”

Here is the best prayer that one can say…to put you on the road to sainthood…

“Lord, do with me what You want. I am Yours alone. Let Your will, not mine or anyone else’s guide me today.”

Then, just be ‘open’ for whatever God has in mind for you. Oh…you will find some repugnance at some of the areas through which He leads you – but that’s normal. Go through them anyway. In the end, when you let God do with you whatever He wishes – the result can only be nothing short of magnificent!