Hey there,
We are all called to be saints. We strive to live a life worthy of sainthood.
But only a few are recognized by the Church.
The Catholic Church canonizes Saints by declaring, through the Pope, a Catholic is united with God in heaven, an intercessory to God on behalf of the living, and worthy of public and universal veneration.
I came across this write-up on the internet that relayed a story from a book (unfortunately, I don’t know who to give the credit to):
The lives of the saints are appealing to us. One incident in Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes illustrates this. One day when he was thirteen years old, Miss O’Riordan, the librarian, would not allow him to leave the library because it was raining. She told him he could read about the saints while he was waiting. McCourt writes (p 285),
There are four big books, Butler’s Lives of the Saints. I don’t want to spend my life reading about saints but when I start I wish the rain would last forever.
Then Frank continues in a rather colorful fashion but he concludes this story with the librarian saying he had to go home because the rain had stopped. When Frank was going out the door, the librarian called him back because she wanted to write a note to his mother and it would be okay for Frank to read it also.
Dear Mrs. McCourt,
Just when you think Ireland is gone to the dogs altogether you find a boy sitting in the library so absorbed in the Lives of the Saints he doesn’t realize the rain has stopped and you have to drag him away from the aforesaid Lives. I think, Mrs. McCourt, you might have a future priest on your hands and I will light a candle in hopes it comes true.
I remain,
Yours truly,
Catherine O’Riordan,
Asst. Librarian
Last Sunday, Pope Francis blessed us with 14 new Saints to emulate, to venerate, and to intercede on our behalf. This issue of Genuflect introduces us to these inspiring “new” Saints.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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New Saints Are Examples of Service
We are here to serve others and Pope Francis pointed out in his Homily at the Canonization Mass for the 14 new Saints that they are inspiring examples of service. Read more about the Pope’s message here.
Pope at Canonization Mass: ‘Service is The Christian Way of Life’ | Vatican News
14 New Saints
Canonized last Sunday include “a priest whose intercession led to the miraculous healing of a man mauled by a jaguar, a woman who convinced a pope to call for a worldwide novena to the Holy Spirit, and 11 men killed in Syria for refusing to renounce their faith and convert to Islam.” Here’s an overview of all 14 of our newest Saints.
These Are The 14 People Who Will be Canonized Saints This Weekend | Catholic News Agency
Saint Giuseppe Allamano
Last week we celebrated World Mission Sunday. And on that day, Giuseppe Allamano, founder of the Consolata Missionaries and the diocesan priest who played a key role in initiating World Mission Sunday nearly a century ago, was canonized.
Blessed Giuseppe Allamano: The Proponent of World Mission Sunday, Saint | The Pontifical Mission Societies
Saint Marie-Léonie Paradis
Marie-Léonie Paradis founded the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family. She’s only the third Canadian to be canonized. Read about her path to sainthood.
Canadian Sister Marie-Leonie Paradis to be Canonized on Oct. 20 | BC Catholic
Saint Elena Guerra
Elena Guerra, known as the “Apostle of the Holy Spirit,” founded a religious order in Lucca, Italy, that became the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit. She urged Pope Leo XIII to renew the Church through a return to the Holy Spirit. Here’s more about this new Saint’s inspiring life.
Blessed Elena Guerra: Apostle of The Holy Spirit | Renewal Ministries
Martyrs of Damascus
In 1860 in Damascus 11 Christians were slain because they would not denounce their Christianity for Islam. Read about the massacres as the time and these 11 new Saints who were hiding in the chapel of a convent.
Martyrs of Damascus | Saints Alive
Holy Mass And Canonization
Watch the ceremony in St. Peter’s Square on October 20, 2024 when Pope Francis canonized 14 new saints.
Pope Francis Holy Mass and Canonization of 14 Blessed Saints | YouTube
Blessed Carlo Acutis
The College of Cardinals has voted for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Here’s the second miracle that Pope Francis approved and what we know about the timing.
Cardinals Approve Canonization of Carlo Acutis, Date to be Decided | National Catholic Register
Becoming a Saint
In 2021 we focused on the process to become a saint, how to train to be a saint, how to raise saints, how to pray to saints, and how to live a life destined for heaven.
How to Live a Life Worthy of Heaven | Genuflect
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