Sainting (v.) def: The absorbing of
the saints, their lives, their images, their holiness. Done by reading the lives of the saints,
praying their prayers, visiting their shrines, or looking at their images. Note:
Previous knowledge about the saint you are absorbing is not a
prerequisite.
I already hinted at the fact that I had been traveling, hence the very infrequent posts. What I haven't yet said is that I am going to Europe specifically to do some sainting. Yes, that is a word, and yes, I made that word up. But it perfectly describes what I'm doing.
France and Italy are homes to some of the most well known saints in the world, and I have been walking in many of their footsteps the past week and a half (and I still have a week more!) So I will be walking with St. Bernadette in Nevers and Lourdes, France, Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Jon Bosco in Turin, Italy, and St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, Bl. Frederick Ozanam, and Claude Des Places in Paris, France. Also in Paris is St. Catherine Laboure and St. Margret Mary. Isn't that quite the crew?
So I'm currently in the midst of sainting, and I highly recommend it. No, it does not require a plane ticket over to Europe. In a post earlier this month I mentioned how there can be saints in your hometown and you don't even know about them. Look them up. Or ask about what saint your parish is named after. There are plenty of Saint statues and shrines around so go and visit.
Sainting is not just researching a saint to know their life, it's about reflecting on that saint's life and how they lived holiness. It's about listening to what the Saints have to tell you on a personal level, and sometimes it takes that extra step to walk in their footsteps.
I already hinted at the fact that I had been traveling, hence the very infrequent posts. What I haven't yet said is that I am going to Europe specifically to do some sainting. Yes, that is a word, and yes, I made that word up. But it perfectly describes what I'm doing.
France and Italy are homes to some of the most well known saints in the world, and I have been walking in many of their footsteps the past week and a half (and I still have a week more!) So I will be walking with St. Bernadette in Nevers and Lourdes, France, Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Jon Bosco in Turin, Italy, and St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, Bl. Frederick Ozanam, and Claude Des Places in Paris, France. Also in Paris is St. Catherine Laboure and St. Margret Mary. Isn't that quite the crew?
So I'm currently in the midst of sainting, and I highly recommend it. No, it does not require a plane ticket over to Europe. In a post earlier this month I mentioned how there can be saints in your hometown and you don't even know about them. Look them up. Or ask about what saint your parish is named after. There are plenty of Saint statues and shrines around so go and visit.
Sainting is not just researching a saint to know their life, it's about reflecting on that saint's life and how they lived holiness. It's about listening to what the Saints have to tell you on a personal level, and sometimes it takes that extra step to walk in their footsteps.
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