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I have been reading about the saints, and have noticed that they have come from so many different backgrounds and lifestyles. They all have their respective stories, and often times the ones we know are missing many details.
For example, we have all heard of St. Valentine, but not many know about the fact that he was very rich at one time. He was arrested and put into prison for performing wedding ceremonies; from prison he continued to give ceremonies until his execution. Oddly enough, he enjoyed his life in prison much more than his life as a wealthy and powerful man. I think that there is something intriguing about that. Many saints have had similar realizations.
Yeah, I guess St. Christopher doesn’t really exist either. I think he was made up.
What other saints do you like?
One of my favorite saints is St. Joan of Arc. Burning at the stake was not a pleasant way to die–but there is much more to the story. I read a few books about her and am amazed at her courage to follow God’s plan even when it meant going against the historic traditions of women roles and having the courage and power to influence the King of France. She lead and army and because the saints Michael, Catherine, and Margaret had told her to do this she was arrested and called a heretic and accused of witchcraft.
Do you have a favorite saint?
Well, I guess I would have to say that my favorite saint is St. Jerome because his feast day is on my birthday. I read somewhere that he has a “quick wit and a sharp tongue” which is something I think I have in common with him.
” title=”Wink” />He was also one of the earliest Bible scholars.
My favorite Saints were Augustine and Peter.
They were real to me. The blew it..many times…just like us.
Yet, they overcame. Kinda gives me hope, ya know?Yeah, St. Peter was very “real” to me. Peter is in such contrast to St. Paul who had this amazing conversion experience. I think I may make an article out of this whole topic sometime soon.
Yeah, I think saints give us hope because although they were human, they lived holy lives. It proves that it is possible not only to be human (in other words, not perfect), but also to live with God’s grace.
[quote:327dicp8]For example, we have all heard of St. Valentine, but not many know about the fact that he was very rich at one time. He was arrested and put into prison for performing wedding ceremonies; from prison he continued to give ceremonies until his execution. Oddly enough, he enjoyed his life in prison much more than his life as a wealthy and powerful man. I think that there is something intriguing about that. Many saints have had similar realizations.[/quote:327dicp8]
Ok, now that St. Valentine’s Day is coming up in a month (although if you go to the stores you’d swear it was tomorrow) I’ve decided to try and revive this discussion and get it back on topic.
So, what was the big deal about his wedding ceremonies? Was it just the fact that he was performing them and weddings were not allowed? Where did he live that was being so oppressive about weddings?
I believe the St. Valentine of St. Valentine’s Day is no longer officially recognized. I had details in a book but I left that book at home while at school this year. A search at Catholic.org’s Saints & Angels page shows a number of St. Valentine’s but none of which are the right one.
My personal patron saint is St. Benedict. At first the choice was merely pragmatic; I am studying Forensic Toxicology and he is the patron of proof against poisoning. However, the more I explore his life and his Holy Rule for monastic life, the more I have come to appreciate what he did for the church and his wisdom for living a holy life (whether monastic or not). For the most part, I have reached certain conclusions and then found them espoused so much more elegantly and completely in his writings and life.
[quote:2qkl2n77]My personal patron saint is St. Benedict.[/quote:2qkl2n77]
I grew up in St. Benedict’s Catholic Church
” title=”Smile” />In fact, I have a St. Benedict’s medal keychain thing and I like to spin it around a lot.
However, my patron is St. Jerome and I think we have a lot in common. He is said to have a sharp tongue and a quick wit and some people say the same thing about me (although not necessarily in as nice of terms
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At my confirmation, my sponsor gave me a St. Benedict pendant blessed by Father Tim (who did my first confession).
One day I hope to join the Oblates of St. Benedict and get a real Medal of St. Benedict[/url:3nutsczf].
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