Inspired by the Saints

PRAYER &DAY OF

HEALINGat the Pilgrim Center of Hope

We all need a little help from our friends.

presented by Angela Santana, Ministry Coordinator

Warning!

Church teaching is too rich & too beautiful to discuss in one morning. Commit to personal study as follow-up exercises.

Becoming Friendswith the Saints

What is a saint?

Becoming Friends with the Saints

There are far more saints than canonized saints....Canonization recognizes what God has already done.



By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God’s grace, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors.

CCC #828


- practiced heroic virtue- lived in fidelity to God’s grace- are now with God- models and intercessors for us

Saints:

How are we connected?


Communion of saints: What is the Church if not the assembly of all the saints?

- Nicetas of Remesiana, 4th century


Communion of saints:


Died & are being purified

In glory

Pilgrims on earth

CCC#954

He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

- Eph. 2:17-22


Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.

- Rev. 5:8


Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ.

CCC#957


Since all the faithful form one body, the good of each is communicated to the others.

- St. Thomas Aquinas


If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

- 1 Cor. 12:26


...the least of our acts done in charity redounds to the profit of all. Every sin harms this communion.

CCC#953

The fruit of all the sacraments belongs to all the faithful. All the sacraments are sacred links uniting the faithful with one another and binding them to Jesus Christ...

The communion of saints must be understood as the communion of the sacraments.

CCC#950


How do I become friends with the saints?


Well...what is a friend?


Step 1: Meet a Saint

- Books- Web- Catholic TV / Radio

... or walk into a parish!


Step 2: Get to know him/her.

- When, where did he/she live?- What struggles did he/she have?- How did they draw close to God?- What did he/she say?


Step 3: Introduce yourself.

- Begin with prayer.- Have a chat.- Use their words/actions to guide your own reflection and prayer.


Step 4: Ask for help.

- Formal / spontaneous prayer


Step 5: Keep your eyes open & be thankful.


Am I working towards becoming a saint?


Inspired by the Saints

All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity. Lumen Gentium

Vatican Council II


Each of us must examine his thoughts, words and deeds, to see whether they are directed toward Christ or are turned away from him.

St. Gregory of Nyssa

It’s time for a break.Please maintain a quiet environment.


Do I live a life of prayer? How?

What distracts me from fully trusting in God?

Am I a living example of God’s love? How have I failed?

What gifts has God given me? How have I used my gifts and talents for God’s glory?


Holiness is that contact with God, making oneself a friend of God, allowing him to act, the only one who can really make the world good and fill it with light.

Joseph Cardinal RatzingerPope Benedict XVI


Holiness is that contact with God, making oneself a friend of God, allowing him to act, the only one who can really make the world good and fill it with light.

Joseph Cardinal RatzingerPope Benedict XVI



The saint are models of holiness – for as many problems, life situations, personalities, races, ages...as there are colors in the rainbow.


We can gain insights and inspiration on every topic.

Example: I need help with prayer. How can I become more motivated to pray?


Meet my friendJosemaría Escrivá1902-1975

Lost 3 sisters & father. Knew hardship in poverty. Priest.Supported his family.Also studied civil law.Founder of Opus Dei.


Let’s resolve to...

- meet the saints.- always be aware of their love for us.- remain aware of the effects of our actions on the communion of saints.

- remember saints’ desire to help us.- foster a friendship with them.- allow their example to draw us closer to Jesus.

Questions?

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina

Please...

- Separate into small group(s) or individual places.- Open Bible to Luke 9:57-62.

Lectio Divina

Step 1: Oratio (read)

- Read the passage. - Read it again slowly, listening for words that stand out to you.

Lectio Divina

Step 2: Meditatio (meditate)

Think carefully and meditate over the words you have just heard. Remember: this is God speaking to you.

What does this Scripture mean to you? How can you relate it to your daily life?

Lectio Divina

Step 3: Oratio (pray)

Respond to God in silent prayer. You may want to: - give thanks- give praise- ask for forgiveness- give your trust- seek help- make commitment to change your life in some way

Lectio Divina

Step 4: Contemplatio (contemplate)

Simply sit in God’s presence. No words are necessary. Think of a couple in love – sometimes just being in the beloved’s presence is enough.

Lectio Divina

Post-Lectio Devina

You may want to record some of your thoughts, prayers, new goals, etc. in writing.

Date post:	14-Jan-2015
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Inspired by the Saints

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