(Canonized) Saints

[Caelum]

Obviously the practice of canonizing saints is Catholic tradition. However; what role do you think we should place such saints in? Do you view them as a symbol of faith in Jesus that you could use to hopefully reflect on your own life? I've often thought about the stories of these saints and it has empowered me in one way or another...


PS: I'm OBVIOUSLY not talking about invocation.
PSS: Eat lots of brussel sprouts.
PSSS: These are way fun to type.
PSSSS: See.
PSSSSS: =D

[ByzantineDixie]

I don't know how a person can't be touched when studying the lives of Anthony of Egypt or Francis of Assisi and the like. When I read about the lives of some of these people my heart just swells up. I can't help but be impacted by the love they have been given for Christ. I am with you, Caelum, studying the lives of the saints makes me thankful for the faith I have been given, brings encouragement and get's me excited to live my faith.

Peace

Rose

[zjl56]

Yes I generally believe that Lutherans should reconize some of the Saints as people who had great devotion to God. I have seen in my Churches worship book that it has feast days. What was strange was it only had Saint for the apostles and it just had the name for people like Gregory the Great and Augustine of Hippo.

[LuxPerpetua]

I do study the saints' lives quite a bit. I know way too much about hagiography (the written accounts of saints' lives) to take most of their claims as factual but I definitely think that the morals they portray are important. Hagiography is especially uplifting in times of Christian persecution (the mentality of "well, if they can stand the pressure, then I can, too!").

[Caelum]

Does anyone have a favorite, or a particular story that fascinates them the most? From what i've gathered im an extremely large fan of St. Florian...but then again im in the fire service field so thats only natural lol :P~

[LuxPerpetua]

I like St. Hilda of Whitby (c. 7th century, English abbess) because she was one spunky lass! I also like St. Perpetua (hence, one reason I chose my username) and you can still read the account of her "personal" diary here: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/perpetua.html

[Carrye]

Do you view pre-Reformation Saints differently from post-Reformation ones?

[ctobola]

On the sour grapes side, it's fascinating to watch the RC's move toward canonization of Mother Theresa.

Is she really a wonderful person of God? I dunno -- I've never met her, never seen her work first-hand, never known anyone she helped. And I'd you haven't either.

But I do know this... she had LOT of money. She had a PR agency and several jet airplanes.

For a highly cynical, and well-documented, critique of her work see "The Missionary Position: Mother Theresa in theory and practice," by Christopher Hitchens. Hitchens is not a fly-by-night anti-RC crackpot -- he's a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist who has appeared in numerous national publications.

Anyway, watching people venerate her... without any info but popular mythology, is indeed disconcerting. Makes me wonder how much candy coating has been done to the stories of other saints.

-c

[ByzantineDixie]

Anyway, watching people venerate her... without any info but popular mythology, is indeed disconcerting. Makes me wonder how much candy coating has been done to the stories of other saints.

-cOuch!!! A shot at Mother Theresa??? ;)

I actually do not know any more than the average joe would know about her however, I do know enough about this world to know that there is always someone around to discredit something or someone else. I probably would be hesitant to believe all the negative, as well as all the good. Somewhere in the midst of the media extremes is the truth.

Your underlying point, however, is good and is similar to Lux's. In many (most, all) cases there probably has been some elaboration to the saint's story, however...the aspect of using the saints as an example of the good God does through His people with the faith He has worked in them has value. Trying to figure out where a particular saint's story has been embellished or otherwise stricken with hyperbole holds less interest for me.

Hey, welcome to the forums, ctobola. Always good to have another Lutheran around! :wave:

Peace

Rose

[SPALATIN]

The only thing that bothers me is the criteria the RCC says needs to be met in order to be "Canonized." Did those first saints have to meet those criteria? The whole thing with Mother Theresa just makes me shake my head especially about the miracle thing.

[zjl56]

Some Post Reformation Saints probably should be considered good Saints by Lutherans. People like Joseph of Cupertino or Thersea of Lisiux.

[ctobola]

Are you implying that Lutherans should start praying to saints? That's fine except for the fact that they are dead... at least according to Lutheran theology.

-Cloy

Some Post Reformation Saints probably should be considered good Saints by Lutherans. People like Joseph of Cupertino or Thersea of Lisiux.

[Caelum]

Are you implying that Lutherans should start praying to saints? That's fine except for the fact that they are dead... at least according to Lutheran theology.

-Cloy


Uhh, I saw no implication of such.

[Reader Nilus]

I know I venerate a Lutheran saint, the Holy Martyr Kai Munk.
Jeff the Finn