Saints & education

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Michael_C

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Can all you good Christians out there give me some examples of great Saints that were NOT educated.

I was in a debate today with (IMHO) a Deacon that was very condescending and impressed with his great education. He feels to be a Deacon a person should have to get a Masters degree in Theology.

I disagree.
 
Michael_C said:
Can all you good Christians out there give me some examples of great Saints that were NOT educated.

I was in a debate today with (IMHO) a Deacon that was very condescending and impressed with his great education. He feels to be a Deacon a person should have to get a Masters degree in Theology.

I disagree.
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since a DRE is supposed to have a master’s in theology to be certified, that is not unreasonable for a deacon, but in fact, the standards for deacon formation are set by the bishop, and require much more than a degree in theology, the require as well practical courses on the liturgy, sacraments, scripture, homiletics, and pastoral affairs as well as canon law. So their 3 to 5 year course is based on those needs. A deacon who seeks employement with a diocese or Catholic institution say as a social worker, administrator etc. will also need the academic qualifications for that position. Anyone, clergy or lay, who seeks to impress people with their education and erudition runs the risk of displaying ignorance and lack of breeding instead.
 
Michael_C said:
Can all you good Christians out there give me some examples of great Saints that were NOT educated.

I was in a debate today with (IMHO) a Deacon that was very condescending and impressed with his great education. He feels to be a Deacon a person should have to get a Masters degree in Theology.

I disagree.
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St Bernadette had an exceptionally low intelligence, I believe. I think she never even really understood that “the Lady” was Mary, though the apparition reported that she was “the Immaculate Conception”. The phrase seems to have been meaningless to her.
However her body has been preserved without corruption, a favour bestowed on almost no one else.
 
Michael_C said:
Can all you good Christians out there give me some examples of great Saints that were NOT educated.

I was in a debate today with (IMHO) a Deacon that was very condescending and impressed with his great education. He feels to be a Deacon a person should have to get a Masters degree in Theology.

I disagree.
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You are talking about two different things here.

First, to be a Saint does not require any specific degree or training. It requires holiness. Yes, there are examples of humble, uneducated individuals who have achieved sainthood by virtue of their holiness.

But, as to the qualifications of a Deacon, your deacon is not off the mark on the requirements. Priests and deacons require specific training-- which can include a master’s in theology.

Pride is a separate issue, which is a character flaw no doubt. Therefore, while formal, advanced training is required for the diaconate it in no way indicates a level of holiness.
 
My line of thinking is would St.Francis of Assisi be admitted into the Deaconate? Would he pass the psychological?
 
Michael_C said:
My line of thinking is would St.Francis of Assisi be admitted into the Deaconate? Would he pass the psychological?
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Each person is called to a vocation. If that person is authentically called to a vocation, God equips him/her for that vocation spiritually, intellectually, physically, and emotionally.

St. Francis was called in a particular time and place for a particular mission by God. It is useless to speculate if he would have been so called in this day and age.

I do not believe that your chosen line of reasoning would be very effective with this deacon. He isn’t wrong, today’s deacons are required to achieve certain academic milestones and undergo emotional and psychological testing.

In their own day, priests underwent training appropriate to their time and place.

St. Francis may or may not have met the qualifications for a priest/deacon in our own day. It’s not really relevant. It wouldn’t affect his holiness, only his vocation.

His arronange should be approached in a different manner, IMHO.
 
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