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Jeanette_L
Guest
I never really realized there was a pattern to the placement of the Saints days. I’ll have to try to pay more attention and pick up the themes.
Soooo much to learn.
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Soooo much to learn.
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CentralFLJames
Guest
Thanks for the invite to the thread JR. This is a wonderful idea.
There are just so many amazing saints in our rich Catholic Tradition.
I am currently involved with special intercessory devotionals and study with:
St. Mary (Immaculate Heart devotional and Fatima devotionals)
St Therese of Lisieux
St. Bridget
St. Gertrude
St. Michael The Archangel
St. Faustina (Divine Mercy Chaplet Devotion)
I wish I had more time since I want to learn more of and get into so many more like:
St. Joseph, St. Jude, St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Benedict, St. John Bosco, and so many more.
James
There are just so many amazing saints in our rich Catholic Tradition.
I am currently involved with special intercessory devotionals and study with:
St. Mary (Immaculate Heart devotional and Fatima devotionals)
St Therese of Lisieux
St. Bridget
St. Gertrude
St. Michael The Archangel
St. Faustina (Divine Mercy Chaplet Devotion)
I wish I had more time since I want to learn more of and get into so many more like:
St. Joseph, St. Jude, St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Benedict, St. John Bosco, and so many more.
James
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JReducation
Guest
Observe what I underlined. Elizabeth Ann did learn this from Louise. On her death bed these were her last words to her sisters and to her surviving children, “Whatever happens, be children of the Church.” It was interesting, because by the time that Elizabeth Ann died, only her two sons and one daughter were alive. Her oldest son died two years later and her daughter Catherine Seton, joined the Sisters of Mercy and went to become their Mother General. Her surving son, Richard, fathered the first bishop of Seattle Washington.
They obviously took to hear their mother’s words. As we know the Sisters of Charity became the largest religious institute of women in the Church. Today there are the Sisters of Charity, which is a congregation of religious sisters who follow the spirit of Elizabeth Ann and the Daughters of Charity which are a merger between Louise’s Daughtes of Charity and the Sistes of Charity from Emetsberg, MD. Even though they are not religious sisters (they are an apostolic institute) together, both groups make up the largest family of women religious in the Church and they all follow the inspiration of St. Vincent de Paul, to make the streets their cloister and charity their veil. This is why neither the Sisters of Charity nor the Daughters of Charity never wore veils, nor do so now. It was St. Vincent’s wish that they should be recognized by their charity.
When on is truly a child of the Church, one’s charity becomes a habit of distinction.
JR
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catharina
Guest
One of the many many quotes regarding Vincent and the Daughters of Charity:Observe what I underlined. Elizabeth Ann did learn this from Louise. On her death bed these were her last words to her sisters and to her surviving children, “Whatever happens, be children of the Church.” It was interesting, because by the time that Elizabeth Ann died, only her two sons and one daughter were alive. Her oldest son died two years later and her daughter Catherine Seton, joined the Sisters of Mercy and went to become their Mother General. Her surving son, Richard, fathered the first bishop of Seattle Washington.
They obviously took to hear their mother’s words. As we know the Sisters of Charity became the largest religious institute of women in the Church. Today there are the Sisters of Charity, which is a congregation of religious sisters who follow the spirit of Elizabeth Ann and the Daughters of Charity which are a merger between Louise’s Daughtes of Charity and the Sistes of Charity from Emetsberg, MD. Even though they are not religious sisters (they are an apostolic institute) together, both groups make up the largest family of women religious in the Church and they all follow the inspiration of St. Vincent de Paul, to make the streets their cloister and charity their veil. This is why neither the Sisters of Charity nor the Daughters of Charity never wore veils, nor do so now. It was St. Vincent’s wish that they should be recognized by their charity.
When on is truly a child of the Church, one’s charity becomes a habit of distinction.
JR
"He said that he had never had any idea of starting a new community, that it was God who did everything. “Your convent,” he said, “will be the house of the sick; your cell, a hired room; your chapel, the parish church; your cloister, the streets of the city or the wards of the hospital.”
Their dress was to be that of the peasant women. It was not until years later that Vincent de Paul would finally permit four of the women to take annual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
… and for your veil, holy modesty … "
My only sister is one.
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JReducation
Guest
Your sister is a Daughter of Charity or a Sister of Charity?
When I first studied religioius life I was fascinated by the fact that the Daughters of Charity canonically are not sisters, but they dressed and looked more like sisters than most communities of sisters. When I first met them was in Emetsberg (sp?). They wore a blue habit with blue veil. I don’t think they do that any more. But I always thought they were sisters until we studied Canon Law in grad school. I never realized that there were so many charisms in the Church.
I was a young Jewish boy who just knew the Brothers who taught us in school. I didn’t know all of these different charisms and gifts that the saints brought forth into the Church, such as Vincent de Paul’s Daughters and the Congregation of the Mission. I taught they were religious priests, until I went to school with them and they told us they were not religious. I had some of them as classmates, as well as one of the Daughters. She was nice person. I never saw her again after we graduated.
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catharina
Guest
My sister is a DAUGHTER of Charity, However there are at least six communities of SISTERs of Charity who claim their foundation to Mother Seton. Mother Seton’s own desire was for her Sisters to be unified with St. Vincent’s Daughters of Charity. This did (finally) took place but it was after Elizabeth’s death.
So Mother Seton is considered a founder of six communities and a co-founder of the Daughters of Charity. It’s an unusual story.
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catharina
Guest
So you must have known the daughters in the late 1960s? Until then (believe it or not) the Habit had evolved straight from French peasantry into what the world viewed as a Habit with wings (that is, with a “cornette,” a terribly complicated and heavily starched head-dress of linen with a blue habit). The Habit wieghed about 15 pounds so the change to something more like modern dress was done in spirit and in truth. St. Vincent must have smiled!
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Jimdandy
Guest
The saints I know or have known all have the same thing in common: Devotion to God and love of their fellow man
So, I think the saints of old would fit right in now days-we sure could use a few thousand more to help the rest of us stay on track.
So, I think the saints of old would fit right in now days-we sure could use a few thousand more to help the rest of us stay on track.
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Jeanette_L
Guest
The way I understand it, we do still have them with us, we just can’t see them.
Tough times we’re living in, the world is a cesspool right now. They’re praying for us all though, and if we join them in that effort, we should get through all this.
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Jimdandy
Guest
Actually, we are all together at each Mass-we should all pray for the Holy souls in purgatory so they can join in with all our prayers.
I often ask Our Lady, St.Faustina, St.Padre Pio and Sts. Margaret and Gertrude to accompany me when I pray the Stations of the Cross.
We must all pray for each other!
I often ask Our Lady, St.Faustina, St.Padre Pio and Sts. Margaret and Gertrude to accompany me when I pray the Stations of the Cross.
We must all pray for each other!
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JReducation
Guest
I know this story. That’s why I asked. Because I know both groups. We had to study them in Canon Law in graduate school.
I believe that the fact that Elizabeth Ann Seton has so many daughters is not a coincidence. The Holy Spirit works wonders through people of faith.
It doesn’t surprise me at all that he used St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to bring forth several families in the American and Canadian Church.
In truth, all of them have done well. They have been faithful to Mother Seton’s love of prayer, the poor and her love for the Church. They continue to serve the Church well and are good models of what Christian charity should be. I believe that in the end, this is what St. Vincent, St. Louise and St. Elizabeth Ann wanted. Whether it was done by one community or by several, to them the important thing was to bring Christ’s charity to all people, especially those who were in greatest need.
What many people often forget is that founders are like artists and writers. They have an end in mind when they start, but the final product often looks nothing like their original vision. Because holy men and women are always open to the guidance of the Spirit. In the end, the product is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Like Mother Teresa said, “[We] are little pencils in God’s hand.”
But you see, this is the kind of detachment that St. Francis and St. Teresa of Avila discovered through contemplation. One becomes so detached, that you even detach yourself from your own projects and they become God’s projects. You are nothing but an instrument who does good and disappears.
JR
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JReducation
Guest
Hi Jim and welcome to our little community.
I agree that we need more saints today. It’s intersting that you should have said it that way, because that’s one of the reasons that we started this thread. We have found that people often spend so much time arguing and debating over this or that, that we forget the end goal is to become saints.
As you see we have been bouncing around between different saints and what we have learned from them or what they practiced that is missing in our lives. Feel free to join in.
We have only one rule around here. We do not discuss contraversial subjects such as the TLM, NO or traditionalism. We really want to focus on the saints, their virtues, their life of prayer and charity, etc.
My favorites are Teresa of Avila, Mother Teresa and Francis of Assisi. When I get a chance I’d like to post some on their theology for us to discuss. I encourage everyone who has a saint and understands the saints’ theology to share it. Or anyone who has questions to post them and we can all try to find the answers.
By the way, if you have any good books on saints that you want to suggest, please feel free to do so.
I’ll just finish this post by saying what St. Francis once said, “our way of life is to live the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, embracing holy poverty, living a pure life and always obedient to the Church.”
JR
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Tim_Kirchoff
Guest
How about St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests? I don’t know much about him, but from what I do know, I just thought he’d be a good topic:thumbsup:
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Jeanette_L
Guest
Ok, I have a question. You don’t have to answer this tonight because it’s late. I’m putting it out here now so I don’t forget it, I’m getting old too!
We talk about detachment as a path toward union with God. We also talk about love of God and man.
So how do we learn detachment and yet retain love? This sounds like a very difficult balancing act.
And are there any of the Saints who deal with this specifically, or are you going to say they all do!
We talk about detachment as a path toward union with God. We also talk about love of God and man.
So how do we learn detachment and yet retain love? This sounds like a very difficult balancing act.
And are there any of the Saints who deal with this specifically, or are you going to say they all do!
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Tim_Kirchoff
Guest
Ahh… In the last century, there was a woman who, when she had trouble with her pregnancy, told her husband to save the baby first. I think it was Gianna something… people keep telling me and I keep forgetting. But I think she’s a good example. She might only be “Blessed” though…Ok, I have a question. You don’t have to answer this tonight because it’s late. I’m putting it out here now so I don’t forget it, I’m getting old too!
We talk about detachment as a path toward union with God. We also talk about love of God and man.
So how do we learn detachment and yet retain love? This sounds like a very difficult balancing act.
And are there any of the Saints who deal with this specifically, or are you going to say they all do!
J
Jeanette_L
Guest
I know who you mean and I can’t come up with her name just now either. she is a Patron of Family and Life issues isn’t she, or is this my after midnight imagination gone awry?Ahh… In the last century, there was a woman who, when she had trouble with her pregnancy, told her husband to save the baby first. I think it was Gianna something… people keep telling me and I keep forgetting. But I think she’s a good example. She might only be “Blessed” though…
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Tim_Kirchoff
Guest
I think the last name starts with an “m”… Bl. Giana Mollero? Mollerino? Something like that…I know who you mean and I can’t come up with her name just now either. she is a Patron of Family and Life issues isn’t she, or is this my after midnight imagination gone awry?
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Indyann
Guest
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Tim_Kirchoff
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JReducation
Guest
I love Jean Marie Vianney so much that I named my daughter after him and St. Terese. Her name is Jeannette Marie Terese.
Jonn Vianney has an extraordinary dedication to mercy and forgiveness. If you examine his life and add up the hours that he spent in the confessional they add up to years.
Like all of the saints, he certainly teaches us about the power of God’s love. But he brings something else to the table that we need today. His life spent in the confessional should remind us that God is a God of forgiveness. God is not out to judge us, but to save us.
This is where many Christians falter and should read John’s life. While John recognized the reality of sin and did not underestimate the seriousness of sin, he was also keenly aware of ther reality of forgiveness.
If we look at our world what do we see? We see nations punishing each other. Tough love has become a fashionable disguise for submitting people and manipulating them. It’s not so much about allowing people to face the consequences of their actions as it is about controlling those who do not fit our mold. People try to feel better about themselves by going to the gym and spending thousands of dollars on their bodies, because they feel uncomfortable with who they are. They are unable to forgive themselves, so they overcompensate with this new found love for healthy living, which is suddenlty becoming an obsession. Since when did obsessions become healthy?
John Vianney was detached from all of this. He did not try to control the lives of the faithful. He was concerned with ministry to God’s people. He was a simple servant, not an authoritarian figure. When he preached about sin, he did it with a smile on his face, not because he was making light of sin, but because sin always reminded him of God’s infinite desire to forgive. This insight into God’s desire to forgive us and to teach us to forgive ourselves and our neighbor brought joy to his soul.
We have lost that sense of joy. We think of sin and we see sin and heresy everywhere, even in the most insignificant things. Then there are those who are blind to sin. Both extremes are dangerous. God gave us the gift of forgivenes. It’s free and available as often as we ask for it. Jean Marie Vianney discovered this through prayer and penance. The more he prayed and the more penance he did, the deeper he went into the mystery of God’s forgiveness.
The world needs this message. God forgives. God wants to forgive. God has already forgiven, before you sinned. All you have to do to receive the grace that flows from God’s infinite love is to say two simple words, “I’m sorry.” God doesn’t require great acts of humliation from us in order to forgive us. All he waits for is for us to say like the the good thief, “Remember me when you enter into your Kingdom.”
This is what Jean Marie Vianney brings to the table of today’s Church. He reminds us that God will not forget us. It is we that forget God. It is we who have trouble forgiving ourselves.
Another message that we get from Jean Marie Vianney’s life is that you cannot play God and then walk away from what you have created. You have to face your deeds. Vianney certainly faced his sinfulness with a sense of responsibility. He did not deny responsibility for his sins. He spent long hours in prayer and penance for his sins and those of the world. He also served the sinner by being available in the confessional where the sinner could face his or her choices and take responsibility for those choices.
What many people don’t know about Jean Marie Vianney is that he had learning disabilities. He never passed his examinations toward his degree nor did he learn Latin. He had to study in French and he memorized the prayers for the mass and the confessional, because he could not master the Latin grammar nor memorize the vocabulary. He was also a poor student in other subjects. But when it came to spiritual guidance, like all people with learning disabilities, he was a genius, because he has a very practical and concrete approach to God and his forgiveness.
JR
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