Nov 04 2008
Reading the lives of the saints
From Thomas Dubay’s Seeking Spiritual Direction:
The main reason on the human level why saints become saints is their drive and determination. Being men and women on fire with total love for God and neighbor, they tend to ignite sparks in our own souls. As the popular saying has it, “one loving spirit sets another on fire.” The frequent reading of saints’ lives and works likewise fill us with their light and wisdom. “It has always been held,” notes French theologian Yves Congar, “that the lives of the saints will help us to understand Scripture, as they are under the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit.” Their words, choices, and actions instruct us with thousands of concrete examples we cannot find in catechisms and theology books. Would they watch this television program? Woudl they eat as elegantly as I do? Would they wear the kinds of clothes I do? Would they react to annoyances as I react? Saints are modles of prudence, the virtue by which we steer a right path through the multiplicities of human life and thus successfully attain our final destination.
I sadly have to admit that I’m not well read when it comes to the lives of the saints. It’s a gap I intend to start filling soon. However, I have read a few. The one that inspired me more than any other is The Saints and Our Children by Mary Reed Newland. It’s published by TAN with a rather off-putting cover. But it’s excellent.
So, which lives of the saints have inspired you? Any recommendations?
A saint that I recently became aware of that I find myself identifying with is Saint Benedict Joseph Labre. He tried and failed to join several religious orders and so began a life of wandering & begging & prayer. I suppose I identify with his longing to belong to a religious order & yet ultimately accepting the fact that God had other plans for him…Peace+
Hi Dan,
I know of St. Benedict Joseph Labre through one of Thomas Merton’s books — New Seeds of Contemplation, I believe. Merton says about as much about St. Benedict as you do.
Can you recommend a book or some articles?
The EWTN site has a bit about the saint at:http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/stben.htmPeace+