ROLDANKING: LIVES OF SAINTS

Sunday, October 24, 2010

LIVES OF SAINTS

It is wrong to think that saints do not sin, in fact saints are sinners too like us. Some of them are even worse than most of us casual people do. What is notable about them is their fortitude, exemplary struggle and persistence, to become closer to God, and show that sin has no power over God's mercy.

Leonardo Foley of the Order of the Franciscan Monks in his book Saint of the Day. Saints become who they are because of their total surrender to the will of God without exceptions – the extent that they are called heroes and heroines worth of emulation.

Saints are recalled as individuals with exceptional zeal towards their faith – spiritually centered and materially tamed individuals. They are considered as one of the most important elements of faith and religion, more in particular the Christian faith. In fact sainthood or “saint” generally attributed to Christians or close to it who is in heaven.

The Catholic Church holds the melting pot of all saints, if sainthood or saint is to be the central concern of the dialogue. The (Catholic) Church does not actually make saints as we might usually know from the term “beatification” and “canonization” done by the pope. The church rather, recognizes saints – it is God who 'makes' saints.

Why do we have saints? What do they do to us living and struggling in the mantle of the valley to tears? Simple, as clearly mentioned above, saints are worthy of praise and imitation. They are role models of faith – it is in them that God rejoices – it is in them that Jesus is magnified! As for us Christians, their lives remind us of how we should imitate a Christian spirituality, values, character, morals and so on.

We do not worship the saints, contrary to what other religious denominations think. We only ask their assistance on our prayers. If it's good to pray alone, isn't it better or best if somebody prays with you or helps with you in your prayers? We have to remember that the saints are also called masters of prayers; and that prayer to them is actually the lifeblood of their soul. Prayer has been their sword and shield on their spiritual struggle here on earth.

To clarify things there are three “worships” that we attribute to God, Mary and Saints if worship would mean its perennial meaning, “to honor” or to “give respect.” For the sake of clarity, we have to use the term devotion.

Latria, Hyperdulia and Dulia are devotions we attribute to God, Mary and the Saints. These terminologies are Greeks for terms such as honor, reverence, adoration and worship to God and the saints or any act that we raise our hearts and minds to God and them.

Latria is the highest of them all and in sacrificial in nature. Hyperdulia is attributed to Virgin Mary. This special adoration is given her because of that exceptional role and fiat to the Plan of Salvation. Dulia is given to the saints because of the exemplary faith and obedience to the Savior. The last two are actually salutes in recognition to a great works of faith they've done – like a military official who have shown indomitable bravery on the field.

In other words, a saint can be summed up but not limited to being an exemplary model, extraordinary teacher, wonder worker or source of benevolent power, intercessor, selfless, ascetic behavior and possessor of a special and revelatory relation to the holy – according to John A. Coleman, graduate of theological studies at Berkely.

HANDFULS OF SAINTS

According to the Catholic church census there are about 10, 000 saints recognized by Christianity not counting perhaps those unlisted and imminent to sainthood. Nevertheless there are few of them here I've handpicked for your emulation.