In a Nutshell
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The saints show "the way to attain happiness, they show us how to be truly human," Pope Benedict XVI told participants in the August 2005 World Youth Day in Cologne. It was just one of several times he has discussed the saints. In his encyclical "God Is Love," the pope mentioned numerous saints who "stand out as lasting models of social charity." The saints, he said, "constantly renewed their capacity for love of neighbor from their encounter with the eucharistic Lord." In Poland in May 2006, Pope Benedict urged that the Gospel wisdom found in the great saints' writings "be brought in a mature way, not childishly or aggressively, to the world of culture and work, to the world of the media and politics, to the world of family and social life." It was in Cologne that the pope presented his view of the saints as "the true reformers." He mentioned past revolutions founded in ideologies that absolutized "what is not absolute," and he said ideologies don't save the world -- that "true revolution consists in simply turning to God, who is the measure of what is right and who at the same time is everlasting love." |
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The saints: Revolutionaries who show us how to be human
By Father W. Thomas FaucherCatholic News Service
In some truly splendid ways, we Catholics are a primitive people. We do not pray and speak with God only in words; we use fire, water, wine, bread, air and other natural things to help express what words can never express and what can never be seen.
One special manifestation of our union with God is always present at our great moments such as the Easter Vigil, baptisms and ordinations: the Litany of the Saints. In it we call upon all those who have gone before us; we ask God to open heaven and send the saints marching in.
Why keep the memory of saints alive?
By Sheila GarciaCatholic News Service
Over several months, as part of my parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults' program, I met with people who wanted to learn more about the Catholic Church. Regardless of the inquirer's age or background, one topic always stimulated intense interest: saints.
People were fascinated by heroes of the faith who reached a level of holiness that seems nearly impossible for the rest of us.
The saint of impossibilities
By Sister Miriam Pollard, OCSOCatholic News Service
Zipping along to make our plane in Rome, we spotted a sign inviting us to the little town of Cassia.
"Oh, Cassia!" I squeaked.
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Faith in the Marketplace | |
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 This Week's Discussion Point: Tell of a saint whose life story inspires you. |
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Selected Response From Readers: |
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