START A SAINTS CLUB!
Consider starting a Saints Club! The beauty of studying the lives of the Saints is what is actually learned by the process.
CHRISTIAN VIRTUE
First of all, each Saint is an embodiment of Christian virtues. Each is a role model who inspires us to aspire to sanctity. Some Saints endured severe trials patiently. Others died for their Holy Catholic Faith as martyrs. Many were examples of how to find Jesus in the poor and suffering—they reached out in small and big ways to those who were in need. Always, the Saints motivations were for the love of their Lord. They were His faithful servants, never tiring or complaining, but cheerfully fulfilling their duties, whatever their state in life. Each Saints first love in this life was their God. They took Jesus words to heart, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.” From them, we truly learn what it means to be humble and obedient.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
Second, when we study the lives of the Saints we always learn more about Jesus and His Church. It’s quite easy to see what beliefs are important when we read about how St. Francis Xavier risked his life to baptize Indians in the East. Blessed Faustina wrote endlessly on the mercy of God. St. Francis of Assisi stressed the importance of the Sacrifice of the Mass. In the Saints’ words and writings, we see what it is in the Church that brings us closer to God. We learn that the Sacraments are core to our Faith. When we abandon them, we abandon Salvation through Baptism, God’s forgiveness in Penance, Our Lords Body and Blood in Communion. Many Saints died for these things! They teach us that we forsake the Grace of God when we do not attach any importance to these things.
Aside from learning more about Our Lord from the Saints, another reason their lives are worth a study, is the history that we can learn. Every Saint lived and died in a historical time period. When we read a Saint’s biography, we learn about his country and his generation. Many of the Saints played important roles in the decisions of Kings and Queens or they met an urgent need in their society for something, especially God! St. Francis Paola was instrumental in helping Louis XI die a Christian death after vainly searching for a cure to his illness. Studying the lives of the Saints is definitely an exciting way to learn history!
HIS LOVE
The love that the Saints have for Our Lord and Our Lady is catchy! Many of the Saints enjoyed visions from Jesus and Mary and were taught many divine truths. These encounters are great witness to the love between God and souls who draw close to Him. The spiritual blessings and gifts that were bestowed on these Saints, were meant at times, not just for them, but also for mankind! Jesus used many Saints as His instruments to help convert whole towns back to His Church!
PRAYER
Lastly, when we study the Saints, we learn how to pray. We learn by their example that whoever we are or whatever we do, whether we are a nurse or a banker or a priest or a teacher, we are called to prayer. Prayer is the core to every persons vocation in life. Without prayer, without God, we are lost. We flounder seeking meaning in our every day lives. It is Jesus who is missing. When we stay close to Him, when we love Him, and when we seek Him out in all things, He gives our every moment purpose. He shows us how to love our neighbor. He shows us how to complete our daily duties in true devotion. He helps us be successful. When we pray as the Saints, we admit that God is our strength and that without Him we are nothing! He is our Joy and our Salvation!
SUGGESTIONS
So, with these things in mind, consider starting a Saints Club!
Consider starting a Saints Club in your Parish or neighborhood. A Saints Club is a group of people who meet to discuss, study and imitate the lives of the Saints! Here are some ideas to get started:
Start small. Start with a core group and let it grow from there. Even if there are just two or three in the group it can be a success. “For where there are two or three gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (St. Matthew 18:20).
Plan to meet at the same time and place on a weekly basis. This will encourage accountability. This could be adjusted to a monthly basis, depending on the needs of the group.
Choose a Patron Saint and, at every meeting, ask that Saint to pray for your group.
Try to keep your study to one hour or an hour and a half. Decide on the time and be faithful to it.
Here is a suggested format to get your group started:
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1.Begin every study with a prayer. Be sure to invite Jesus to your study! Some suggestions are The Rosary, The Seven Sorrows of Mary or The Way of the Cross.
2. Read from a written work or a biography of a chosen Saint.
3. Reflect and discuss the work, paying attention to certain lessons that can be gained from the study.
4. Resolve to put into practice something worth imitating that the group learned from the reflection.
5. Check in about the groups resolution from the past week.
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6. End with a short prayer such as The Hail Mary. Add a jaculatory prayer to your Patron Saint. For example, pray: “St. Joseph, pray for us!”
RESOURCES
In this section, we will try to suggest new ideas for finding books or publications on the Saints and other Catholic resources.
Check out your local bookstore, used bookstore and library!
Search for “Saints” on the Internet. The links could be endless!
THE SAINTS AT THE CATHOLIC MOM
http://astore.amazon.com/thecatholicmom-20/102-3330632-7032139?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=1
Patron Saint Index
http://saints.sqpn.com/indexsnt.htm
Yard Sales and your local Catholic Parish Library sometimes have hidden treasures of Saints.
These publishers carry books on the Saints:
Catholic Treasures
Box 5034
135 W. Foot Hill Blvd., Suite A
Monrovia, CA 91016
(818) 359-4893 or 1-800-257-4593
Image Books
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339
Ft. Collins, CO 80522
1-800-651-1531
Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 424
Rockford, IL 61105
1-800-437-5876
Viking Penguin, Inc.
40 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
Owned by Denise Michelle 2008
Start a Saints Club
Sunday, May 25, 2008
