Wealthy Saints

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I have a Catholic friend struggling with her family’s wealth . . . does anyone know any good saints who were wealthy (and didn’t reject their wealth) but lived saintly lives?
 
This is a very interesting question and I think of how Jesus said repeatedly that wealth can be a great burden spiritually.
Various rulers were wealthy, including no doubt St. Louis, king of France and St. Elizabeth of Hungry. I would think it necessary to consider them wealthy, being able if they wanted to live in great luxury.
 
JGheen,

In addition to MSpencer’s great post, I found this search.eb.com/women/articles/Drexel_Katharine_Mary.html while searching.

I didn’t know anything about St. Katharine Drexel, but, boy am I impressed.

I think your friend might find her to be a powerful patron, intercessor, and model. According to this (secular) article, when she passed away she had spent over $12,000,000 dollars of her vast fortune. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

God Bless,
VC
 
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DBT:
St. Thomas More would also probably be a good example . . .
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Absolutely, Dave! How could I have forgotten him? Especially because he didn’t “give up” his wealth and he was a married layman. Perfect for the OP’s requirements.

VC
 
While not wealthy, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, were very prosperous members of their community. Her mother, Zelie, was a lacemaker, and her father, Louis, a jeweler and watchmaker. Both of them have both been declared “Venerable” by the Church and will perhaps one day be canonized. They are certainly two good (and married!) examples of holy people who were able to be that in the midst of their prosperity.
 
A timely one for November 16 is St Margaret of Scotland, who was Queen of Scotland.
 
not a saint yet…but hopefully soon 🙂 , Blessed Pier Giogrio Frassati comes from one of the wealthiest families in Italy. He spent most of his time and money working with poor, without his parents knowing! He is also a sort of modern day “Blessed” having died in 1925. (he’s also pretty cute;) if one is allowed to say that about a Blessed!) I definitly recommend checking out more of his story. My youth group did a pilgrimage/hike focused on his life as “The Man of the Beatitudes” (which JP2 named) the other weekend,as hiking and camping trips were some of his favorite past time. Definitly a great role model for the youth, esp. young boys. He was also known to be a bit of a prankster and a “jock”.
 
~Toves~:
not a saint yet…but hopefully soon 🙂 , Blessed Pier Giogrio Frassati comes from one of the wealthiest families in Italy. He spent most of his time and money working with poor, without his parents knowing! He is also a sort of modern day “Blessed” having died in 1925. (he’s also pretty cute;) if one is allowed to say that about a Blessed!) I definitly recommend checking out more of his story. My youth group did a pilgrimage/hike focused on his life as “The Man of the Beatitudes” (which JP2 named) the other weekend,as hiking and camping trips were some of his favorite past time. Definitly a great role model for the youth, esp. young boys. He was also known to be a bit of a prankster and a “jock”.
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Will do!
 
St. Edward the Confessor (King of England) and St. Henry (Holy Roman Emperor) would have been good examples. Also, Bl. Karl of Austria would be good because he was the last ruler from the House of Habsburg. All three of these people had a vast amount of wealth.
 
I believe Saint Anthony of Padua was born into a rich and wealthy family but that he embraced poverty.
 
JGheen said:
I have a Catholic friend struggling with her family’s wealth . . . does anyone know any good saints who were wealthy (and didn’t reject their wealth) but lived saintly lives?
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Sr Katherine Drexel comes immediately to mind
 
JGheen said:
I have a Catholic friend struggling with her family’s wealth . . . does anyone know any good saints who were wealthy (and didn’t reject their wealth) but lived saintly lives?
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St. Katharine Drexel (Bucks County, PA). Oops! I see someone already mentioned her. Sorry - I should read the posts before answering. 😊
 
Threadbump.

Enrique Ernesto Shaw, and Argentine Servant of God who fought in World War 2, came home to run a prosperous business, paid his workers extremely well with its profits, and ran afoul of Juan Peron.
 
_Toves said:
not a saint yet…but hopefully soon 🙂 , Blessed Pier Giogrio Frassati comes from one of the wealthiest families in Italy. He spent most of his time and money working with poor, without his parents knowing! He is also a sort of modern day “Blessed” having died in 1925. (he’s also pretty cute;) if one is allowed to say that about a Blessed!) I definitly recommend checking out more of his story. My youth group did a pilgrimage/hike focused on his life as “The Man of the Beatitudes” (which JP2 named) the other weekend,as hiking and camping trips were some of his favorite past time. Definitly a great role model for the youth, esp. young boys. He was also known to be a bit of a prankster and a “jock”.
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I love his story. He is quite cute. I wonder what St. Rose of Lima looked like.
 
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