Have you ever wanted to become a saint but been discouraged by the seeming impossibility of modeling their lives of sanctity and holiness? How is a busy mother suppose to spend hours in contemplative prayer on her knees before the crucifix of Christ? But I soon realized that sanctity is not necessarily defined by those things. It is found, with God’s grace, in the simplicity of being a faithful mother.
Saints
The Accusation that Catholics Worship Mary Is Built on Misunderstanding and Exaggeration
As a teen and young man, I remember being hesitant—even fearful—of mentioning to my friends that I was a Catholic. I knew they held a lot of misunderstanding about the Church and what the Church believes about Mary.
St. Justin Martyr
The Roman prefect Rusticus, his hate-filled eyes fixed intently on St. Justin, said: “Do you have an idea that you will go up to heaven to receive some suitable rewards?” Justin responded: “It is not an idea that I have; it is something I know well and hold to be most certain.”
Saint Martin of Tours and the Goal of Human Life
St. Martin reminds us that the purpose of our life is found in love of God above all else and love of neighbor for the sake of our love of God. Our life is to become a story of humility, compassion, prayer and holy activity in glorification of Christ.
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order, is perhaps best remembered for the life of sanctity, simplicity, and poverty he deliberately chose as a young man in strong opposition to the wealthy, pampered circumstances in which he was raised. Given the cultural context of today, there’s a great deal we can learn from the way Francis chose to live for God.