Saints: How Would They Live In Today's World?

[JReducation]

Hello Everyone:

This thread is for those who wish to discuss how to follow the tradition of the saints to Jesus Christ in the modern world and today’s Church. To avoid muddling the waters, I would ask that we avoid discussing the merits of the Tridentine mass and the Novus Ordo. I realize that they are important to tradition, but we want to stick to the saints and how they lived their faith. Our goal is to talk about the spirit of the saints and how they teach us to live in today’s world.

It is important to remember that the saints were men and women who lived during a specific time in history. Many of their actions and words were usual and customary for the period of history during which they lived. But their evangelical spirit is eternal, as well as much of the advice that they give us on how to become more like Jesus.

Perhaps some of you have a saint who has influenced you on your spiritual journey and you would like to tell us about him/her or share what you have learned from this holy man or woman. Or you may have a saint who has attracted your attention, but know little about him or her and would like to know more.

Here is an opportunity to ask questions and share experiences. I have deliberately posted this thread on the Traditional Catholicism forum, because the saints are a very real and important part of Christian Tradition. Their lives and ministry have contributed to the spiritual growth of the Church since its conception.

I would caution that this is not a debate, but an opportunity to share. In addition, I would also caution against falling into literalism. The saints wrote and said many things, but more important is how they lived. There is the danger of interpreting their writings divorced from the context of their lives and culture. Our love and imitation of the saints must lead us to discover the love of Christ for all humanity, whether they are united to us or not. For the saints aspired to the salvation of their souls and the souls of the world through the perfection of charity. Above all, they maintained an interior silence that allowed them to hear the guidance of the Holy Spirit and encounter their Lord and Father.

2683 The witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom, especially those whom the Church recognizes as saints, share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives, the transmission of their writings, and their prayer today. They contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were “put in charge of many things.” Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world. (CCC)

We look forward to questions and sharing. I would like to begin speaking about my three favourites: Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa and Teresa of Avila. But that will be in another post.

Welcome everyone!

JR

 

[Jeanette_L]

Well, like I’ve said recently to someone, sooooo many Saints and sooooo little time.

I’m in the middle of reading about two Saints in particular, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Teresa of Avila. I haven’t gotten too far with either one unfortunately, so as I learn more, I can share.

I have read some others, such as St. Augustine’s Confessions and City of God, which were awesome, as well as some of the Early Church Fathers and of course the letters from the Apostles Paul, Peter, James and John.

I would very much like to hear of the more modern day Saints as they have lived closest to our culture and times. I’m looking forward to hearing others share what they have read and what they have gotten from their readings.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

The Patron Saint of Joy would do as he did in his own time, and probably get in as much trouble!

 

[Mini_gerbel]

The Patron Saint of Joy would do as he did in his own time, and probably get in as much trouble!

:dts:

lol

that was joke

but who is the patron saint of joy?
I thought you were jokeing

 

[Eilish_Maura]

:dts:

lol

that was joke

but who is the patron saint of joy?
I thought you were jokeing

Time to Google –

The Patron Saint of Joy is the same person known as the Bell of the Jesuits and the 2nd Apostle to Rome.

 

[Jeanette_L]

The Patron Saint of Joy would do as he did in his own time, and probably get in as much trouble!

I think I might like him, who are you talking about, please share!

 

[catharina]

Wonderful subject for a thread. Hope the thread thrives.

 

[chewchoo]

a shameless plug for the Today’s Saint thread (see my sig)

i have learned a lot about saints in posting daily tidbits. true there are the “saintly” saints. but there are many more who have had the daily struggles that we all have. some were down right living on the dark side, but they saw the light. many more have had issues that we can all relate too. but in the end, all of them are selfless and their life’s focus is on God.

and one of the really beautiful things about saints is that in the way they lived their lives other people saw God and they flocked to the saints for guidance.

also, there are sooooooooooooo many saints to learn from. yes there are the “superstar” saints and many of them are doctors of the church, but there are also the you and me saints, and they give me the hope that i too might one day be a holy person.

 

[Jeanette_L]

a shameless plug for the Today’s Saint thread (see my sig)

i have learned a lot about saints in posting daily tidbits. true there are the “saintly” saints. but there are many more who have had the daily struggles that we all have. some were down right living on the dark side, but they saw the light. many more have had issues that we can all relate too. but in the end, all of them are selfless and their life’s focus is on God.

and one of the really beautiful things about saints is that in the way they lived their lives other people saw God and they flocked to the saints for guidance.

also, there are sooooooooooooo many saints to learn from. yes there are the “superstar” saints and many of them are doctors of the church, but there are also the you and me saints, and they give me the hope that i too might one day be a holy person.

Your thread can actually be a great source for our discussions, Chew! I love it when a plan comes together! Of course it wasn’t our plan.

And I love your zeal for learning of the Saints, I read your thread everyday, I have grown quite attached.

I have a feeling the first step on the road to becoming a Saint is the desire to be one, so you’re way ahead of the majority of people.

Who have you read about recently that struck a particular chord with you?

 

[JReducation]

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is someone who is near and dear to my heart. I have visited Emmetsburg at least five times, just to be near her burial place.

There are so many wonderful things that I can say about her, that I’m not sure where to begin. I think the first thing that comes to mind is her love for the Eucharist, because it was the path to Eternity. It was the Eucharist that brought her to Catholicism. While she was visiting with friends of her husband, in Italy, she witnessed the Catholic mass celebrated in the private chapel in their home. While she knelt in the rear of the chapel, a fellow Protestant said to her, “This is what they call the real presence.”

These words really hit home. She has been born and raised an Episcopalian and was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church. In fact, she was a very prayerful woman who loved God and loved the scriptures. But the thought of possibly being even closer to Eternity, as she called it, drew her attention.

Here is the point that we must remember when we look at Elizabeth, not that she converted from the Episcopal Church to the Catholic Church, for many people do that and the other way around; the word ETERNITY is key here. Elizabeth was in love with the Eternity of God. In the Eucharist she found that she could begin to share eternity with God here and now, without having to wait until death

Here is a woman of courage; because it takes courage to leave what is familiar to you, especially your faith. But Elizabeth was willing to take the consequences of her choice in return for the intimate communion that one can find with God only through eternity.

Elizabeth realized that eternity began now and that as it progressed. Her soul progressed into deeper fellowship with her Creator, Saviour and Guide: Father, Son and Holy Spirit through a life devoted to prayer, family, and service to the poor. God is everything that is holy and perfect. Therefore, it is impossible to know him in a day or even in a lifetime. One needs eternity to float into the mystery that is God.

Elizabeth teaches us to take the small steps that begin here, but continue into eternity. Those are the small steps toward union with the Divine. As we go further, more is asked of us and more is given to us. This supernatural reciprocity between the soul and God continues into Eternity. Therefore, there is no end to our romance with God.

Of the many things that Elizabeth Ann Seton has to teach the modern Church and modern Christian, this is probably her most profound lesson. We can begin union with God in Eternity, while still in this life and continue it without interruption in the next.

JR

 

[po18guy]

Mother Theresa. We saw her. We heard her. She did not feel worthy.
St. Pio. One who invited suffering and was righteously indignant in a corrupt world.

The peace of the Risen Christ be with all of you.

 

[JReducation]

a shameless plug for the Today’s Saint thread (see my sig)

i have learned a lot about saints in posting daily tidbits. true there are the “saintly” saints. but there are many more who have had the daily struggles that we all have. some were down right living on the dark side, but they saw the light. many more have had issues that we can all relate too. but in the end, all of them are selfless and their life’s focus is on God.

and one of the really beautiful things about saints is that in the way they lived their lives other people saw God and they flocked to the saints for guidance.

also, there are sooooooooooooo many saints to learn from. yes there are the “superstar” saints and many of them are doctors of the church, but there are also the you and me saints, and they give me the hope that i too might one day be a holy person.

Chew:

We have to team up. You do today’s saint and we discuss their spirituality and theology. What a combo!!!

JR

 

[JReducation]

Mother Theresa. We saw her. We heard her. She did not feel worthy.
St. Pio. One who invited suffering and was righteously indignant in a corrupt world.

The peace of the Risen Christ be with all of you.

HI PO

I met Mother Teresa in Washington DC. I was working for that archdiocese when she came for the opening of their house for AIDS victims. I had the great honour of being invited, with the rest of our team to the consecration of the house. I shook her hand and we spoke for about a min.

She was one of the most interesting people whom I ever met. It was as if she was look at you, but from the inside out.

I was impressed when a reporter asked her if she didn’t find that her new home was in conflict with Catholic teaching on homosexuality, because most of the new residents were gay people with AIDS. Her response was just awesome.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I only see Jesus who is dying and unloved.”

JR

 

[JReducation]

I have a feeling the first step on the road to becoming a Saint is the desire to be one, so you’re way ahead of the majority of people.

Jeanette

This resonates with Elizabeth Ann Seton. Her mother died when she was a little girl. She sat outside the house looking toward Heaven and her only wish was to be there. At a tender age, she took her first step toward sanctity. She desired Heaven.

JR

 

[Jeanette_L]

Chew:

We have to team up. You do today’s saint and we discuss their spirituality and theology. What a combo!!!

JR

Her thread is awesome, you learn about soooo many that are never really talked about. A lot of them there’s not a lot known anymore, but the Church must have known a great deal at one time or they would not have been canonized.

You really need to check her thread out. I have put it on my daily notification, I get to read it at work. Sometimes it’s the only thing that keeps me going in a positive direction.

I’m very interested in reading more about St. Seton, what I’ve read so far I really like. So far I have really related to her childhood relationship with God, she was always aware of Him in everyday life, had a real closeness with Him.

 

[Jeanette_L]

I was impressed when a reporter asked her if she didn’t find that her new home was in conflict with Catholic teaching on homosexuality, because most of the new residents were gay people with AIDS. Her response was just awesome.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I only see Jesus who is dying and unloved.”

JR

She puts the rest of us to shame. To have a heart like hers…you’d have to have a heart that was willing to be crushed. That’s an awesome undertaking.

 

[Jeanette_L]

Jeanette

This resonates with Elizabeth Ann Seton. Her mother died when she was a little girl. She sat outside the house looking toward Heaven and her only wish was to be there. At a tender age, she took her first step toward sanctity. She desired Heaven.

JR

It’s one thing to say we desire heaven, another altogether to understand what that really means. It means giving up earth and all that we cling to. That is a huge process, even the desiring part. The more I think I desire heaven, the more aware I am of what I don’t want to let go of. Very painful, the letting go.

I can’t wait to get into more of her. Must get more reading done tonight.

 

[anamchara]

She puts the rest of us to shame. To have a heart like hers…you’d have to have a heart that was willing to be crushed. That’s an awesome undertaking.

I think I might be a Saint, is this the thread I come to?

 

[Jeanette_L]

I think I might be a Saint, is this the thread I come to?

Sure thing, we’ll set you straight!

 

[anamchara]

Sure thing, we’ll set you straight!

This is an awesome thread. I feel we don’t pay enough attention to our beloved Saints, at least I don’t feel I have The frist Saint I read about was Teresa of Avila. I remember really liking her for some reason. I should go back and read why:blush:

Chew’s thread is perfect.