1. SAINTS
The Holy People
of the Church

2. A “saint” is someone who is recognized by the Church as one who had an extremely close relationship with God and who tried to live according to God’s Will for her/his life.
Saints are people through whom we come to a better understanding of:
1. what God is like, and
2. the kind of lives we should/could be living today.

3. Pope John Paul II canonized 482 Saints between 1982-2004.
He canonized more saints in 22 years than all of the Popes in the previous 500 years combined.
Why??

4. By doing this, Pope John Paul II showed that he believed strongly in the presence of holiness in our world TODAY – not just in the past.

5. How Does a Saint Become a Saint?

6. The Canonization Process
The process through which a holy person becomes an official Saint in the Church is called “canonization.” It generally begins at least 5 years after a person’s death.

7. Step 1: Research
A group is appointed by a bishop to investigate the person’s life and holiness.
During this stage, the person is referred to as a “Servant of God.” If the investigation is approved, the person is called “Venerable.”

8. Step 2: Miracles
Miracles must be seen as being achieved through the intercession of that person. Once this is proven the person is called “Blessed.” This step is called “beatification.”

9. Final Step: Canonization
After another miracle is attributed to this person, the Pope will make a formal declaration of “canonization” and the person is called a Saint!

10. Clarification
It is important to realize that we do not pray TO saints, as if they were equal to God.
Rather, we honor the Saints for their holy lives and, because of their close connection with God, we ask the Saints to pray WITH and FOR us.

11. Patron Saints

12. Homework #1 – 2nd Quarter Due Wednesday, November 17
Your patron saint is either the saint who shares your name or a saint with whom you feel a special connection – for whatever reason.
Who is/would you like to claim as your “patron saint?” Look up this saint.

13. Look up this saint. Consult either. . .
the list of saints at: or
the list of patron saints at:
Additional Saint info is available at:
In your notebook, explain why you chose this saint. Then, write down 6 interesting facts about your Patron Saint. It can be handwritten. Be ready to talk about your saint in class on Wednesday.

14. A person’s “patron saint” could be the saint with whom she or he shares a name.
Patron saints are also chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life (occupations, illnesses, countries, etc.) This practice seems to go back to the 4th century.

15. For example . . . St. Benedict School children St. Maria Goretti &
St. Aloysius Gonzaga
Teenagers
St. Nicholas
Children
St. Thomas Aquinas
College

16. The patron saint of the USA is the Blessed Mother, with the title “Immaculate Conception.”
(This is why we are off on Dec. 8!)

17. Your class’ Patron Saints

18. Some of The Church’s Most Influential Saints
St. Therese (1873)
St. Frances Cabrini (1850)
St. John Neumann (1801)
St. Padre Pio (1887)
St. Augustine(354)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774)
St. Monica (331)
St. Rose of Lima (1586)
St. Francis of Assisi (1181)
St. Thomas Aquinas (1225)
St. Katharine Drexel (1858)
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656)
Blessed Theresa of Calcutta (1910)

19. 3 Important Things
You are going to learn 3 important bits of information about each of the “Influential Saints” you recorded on your Timeline.
In your notes, create a format for this information. Write the person’s name and birth year. Under that, number 1, 2, 3 – skipping 3 lines between each number.
Arrange the saints in chronological order in your notes.

20. Gathering Notes
In your groups, look at the papers of notes that you were given. Each saint goes with 3 of the points on the papers. See if, as a group, you can figure out which saints go with which points. Write in pencil, until we go over them as a class.

21. After you are sure that you know what points go with each Saint, fill them in the appropriate spaces in your notes.
Completing your notes will count for a HW grade – due in class tomorrow.

22. The Prayer of St. Francis (Peace Prayer)
Lord, make me an instrument
of your peace.
Where there is hatred,
let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so
much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood
as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we
receive;
it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life.
Amen.

23. Test – Monday 12/6 What is a saint? Why are saints important?
How does a person become a saint?
Do Catholics worship saints?
Patron Saints
You class’ Patron Saints ... matching
Influential Saints ... know 3 things
Prayer of St. Francis ... Fill-ins
Reflective Essay