Saints with unholy families?

[Corinne]

Does anyone have any recommendations of saints that dealt with sinful families or close relations? I struggle with knowing how to deal with family members (e.g. parents), and hating the sins but loving the sinners. In trying to stand up against sin, I end up in terrible relationship-damaging arguments. I’m looking for examples from the saints that will help me know how to respond.

 

[space_ghost]

Corinne:

Does anyone have any recommendations of saints that dealt with sinful families or close relations? I struggle with knowing how to deal with family members (e.g. parents), and hating the sins but loving the sinners. In trying to stand up against sin, I end up in terrible relationship-damaging arguments. I’m looking for examples from the saints that will help me know how to respond.

…you be a good christian/catholic… quit trying to change them, that’s the job of the Holy Ghost… PRAY FOR THEM… then trust in the Holy Ghost to do his job…

…no, it won’t be easy, but stick by your family…

 

[Corinne]

Thanks for the advice. I do think that praying for them is the best thing, and I should be doing more of that. I also agree that the holy spirit is the best method of change, but I still feel a responsibility to convey my displeasure with the ongoing sins in a way that is still loving toward them as my family. That is why I am looking for saints that have been through something like this because I am not always clear on what the best thing to do would be. A lot of people have given me a lot of different advice, but I want the advice that comes from the example of a saint, if that makes any sense.

 

[gardenswithkids]

Corinne:

…I am looking for saints that have been through something like this because I am not always clear on what the best thing to do would be. A lot of people have given me a lot of different advice, but I want the advice that comes from the example of a saint…

St. Barbara (feast day December 4th) was imprisoned by her father in a tower. He dragged his own daughter before a judge because she was a Christian and asked that she be beaten and beheaded. She died a martyr. (And my children’s little storybook of saints said that her father was struck by a flash of lightening and killed where he stood.)

St. Catherine of Sienna (feast day April 30th) was the youngest of 23 children, so I don’t think her family was “unholy”… But they strongly disapproved of Catherine’s desire to remain unmarried. She cut off her beautiful hair to make herself less attractive to suitors. I understand that after her father died, she asked God if she could accept the pains of purgatory for her father and she was given terrible suffering.

St. Monica (feast day May 4th) had difficulties with her husband and mother-in-law. Her son, St. Augustine, also caused her grief by the sinful life he lead in his youth. She prayed much for her son and her prayers were answered by God giving us a Doctor of the Church.

Both St. Francis of Assissi and St. Claire came from families that wanted to prevent them from giving themselves totally to God. These were parents with worldly concerns for their children. Their parents may have thought they had their children’s best interest, but God’s plans were far bettter for them than just being a successful merchant or noblewoman.

There are lots and lots more saints who came from less than perfect families. I hope their lives inspire you to live fully for Jesus in whatever struggles you are going through.

 

[Corinne]

That’s exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!!