Communion of Saints

This summer my parish in CT offered a Catholicism series study once a week. Each week there was a different topic, that included a short video and discussion. I found the videos interesting, especially since they taped them all over the world and you are able to see all places that are significant in the Catholic Church (like St. Peter's, Holy Land, etc.). 


Here is a little information about it from their website: 
Fr. Robert Barron created this groundbreaking program as a thematic presentation of what Catholics believe and why, so all adults can come to a deeper understanding of the Catholic Faith. Not a video lecture, Church history or scripture study, this engaging and interesting formational program uses the art, architecture, literature, music and all the treasures of the Catholic tradition to illuminate the timeless teachings of the Church.


This past week was titled "Communion of Saints." I thought the movie was going to focus more on a general definition of a saint, but the video focused on four saints in our church. After the video we discussed what qualities each one had and how these values may or may not be seen in our own lives. 
To start, the definition of what a saint was made clear: someone who achieves heaven. We all can be saints one day. 

Here are the four saints that we focused on:
Under each one I wrote what I thought their qualities were (part of the discussion)...


1. Saint Katharine Drexel
- She was born in 1858 to a wealthy family
- Her parents died when she was young and she inherited $4 million dollars ($400 million today).
- She started an Indian mission out West.
- She went to the Pope asking her for help, and he told her she should be the leader of the Mission
- She was a Sister of Mercy
- She started Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Black and Native American peoples
 - In 1915 founded Xavier University in New Orleans
- Last 20 years of her life, solely prayed because of her health. 
- Died 1955
- FEAST DAY: March 3rd
- Perseverance, total giving, love


2. St. Therese of Lisieux
- Carmelite Nun
- Died at age 24 in 1897
- Doctor of the Church
- Called "Little Flower"
- She had a manifestation of God's Grace when she looked at a statue of the Virgin Mary
- As stated "transfigured prudence by Christ's love"
- FEAST DAY: October 1st 
- Determination, full giving to God, sacrifice, willingness 


3. Saint Edith Stein
- Born 1891 to a Jewish, wealthy family
- Had many doubts about God at a young age
- Read autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila and that became a life-changing moment for her. Later she converted to Catholicism and was baptized.
- Carmelite Nun
- Put to death at a Nazi concentration camp
-Died 1942
- FEAST DAY: August 9th
- Power, courage, willingness to give


4. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (in the process of becoming a saint)
- Born 1910
- Became a Loretta sister at age 18
- Established Missionary of Charity- worked with the poor and lived like them (calling from God)
- Missionary of Charities spread across the world 
- Won Nobel Peace Prize in 1979
- Died 1997
- FEAST DAY: September 10th 
- Total giving, passion, love for all


For more information on saints, check this out: Catholic Online