Even though they lived during different times and in different places, saints are examples of how to live the Gospel for all Catholics.
Their service, sacrifice, and devotion demonstrates heroic holiness that goes beyond ordinary goodness.
Even though their lives on Earth ended, the saints are proof that holy lives will be rewarded. Now they are even more alive in Heaven with God for eternity.
In the presence of God and able to hear our prayers and pray along with us and for us, the saints intercede on our behalf.
Patron saints have special connectons with nations, struggles, devotions, interests, or occupations.
Saints are honored but never worshiped. Canonized saints are remembered on their feast days in the Church’s liturgical calendar.
Placing the love of God above everything else:
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.”
Matthew 25: 21
Reminded of God by their gifts and passions:
Spiritual heroes for us:
Being part of God’s family does not end with death:
The witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom, especially those whom the Church recognizes as saints, share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives, the transmission of their writings, and their prayer today. They contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were “put in charge of many things.” Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2683
The Church declares that certain people are in Heaven:
Canonization of a saint is infallable:
Faced with this mystery, we are greatly helped not only by theological investigation but also by that great heritage which is the “lived theology” of the saints. The saints offer us precious insights which enable us to understand more easily the intuition of faith, thanks to the special enlightenment which some of them have received from the Holy Spirit, or even through their personal experience of those terrible states of trial which the mystical tradition describes as the “dark night”. Not infrequently the saints have undergone something akin to Jesus’ experience on the Cross in the paradoxical blending of bliss and pain.
Pope John Paul II, Novo Millennio Ineunte, January 6, 2001
Responding to God’s grace and reaching intimate union with Him:
Nourished by the infinite sanctity of God:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
A great way to live:
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