www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Name a favorite Saint and why?

PS I forgot the 'why'.
Why - because they never stopped working, praying, loving, and having joy and love even while suffering. They seemed to keep going endlessly even when their health or circumstances would have made it 'impossible' ....
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini... Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton ... and some that Daniel mentioned - I too am a big fan of St. Martin de Porres and Ven. Solanus Casey... the list goes on!

I thought I would post the name of this book I am reading - Drink of the Stream - Prayers of Carmelites, published by Ignatius Press Compiled by Penny Hickey, O.C.D.S. - Starts with Elijah the Prophet, on through many more ...Saint Teresa and John of the Cross, Br. Lawrence, Martyrs of Compiegne, St. Henry de Osso, Saint Therese, etc. etc. till the 1940's.
Highly recommended!!
Communion of Saints

Saint John Chrysostomos. He is the teacher of the repentance and love. His Homiliae at the Gospel of Saint Apostle and Evangelist Matthew had an important impact on this soul, pulling me out from an old world.

Saint Therese de Lisieux the Little Flower...Saint Seraphim of Sarov

Many others...

Thank you, sister Mary Josephine, for this topic.

In Christ, brotherly, Marian

Favorite saints? Where do I begin? Here goes:

Our Lady
St. Joseph
St. Therese
St. Juan Diego
Ven. Solanus Casey
St. Josemaria Escriva
St. Joseph Benedict Labre
Bl. Charles de Foucauld
Catherine Doherty and Fr. Eddie Doherty (not canonized, but I know they're up there!)

Great topic!

Oops! The reason for each of the above mentioned saints as to why they're my favorites:

HUMILITY and/or REPENTENCE

My personally favorite saint would be St. Filaret the Almsgiver. I came across his life in "The Great Collection of the Live of the Saints" by St. Dimitri of Rostov, the November volume, then added his icon to our prayer corner. His story also reminds me of a fairy tale, which appears to derive some of its plot from the life of the saint when you think about it.

Here was a wealthy married man who always was mindful of the needs of others, even if he wound up impoverished. However, his lack of concern for material security was not understood by his wife and family. At one of their lowest moments, an emissary of the emperor at Constantinople came to town, looking for a suitable bride for His Highness. Filaret's granddaughter, a beautiful yet humble young woman, was chosen to compete in the imperial city, and was there chosen over courtiers and high-born women, who lacked her christian charity, to become the emperor's bride. As a result her entire family was brought to Constantinople and given homes befitting their rank as immediate family of the emperor. In thanksgiving, Filaret asked his wife to prepare a feast for several hundred guests. She did so, but to her surprise, instead of guests like the emperor, Filaret brought hundreds of homeless people to his new estate to dine. Though she never really understood her husband's behavior, the emperor did, and named him to oversee charitable services for the city.

St. Filaret is especially meaningful in light of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. A selfless man, who wanted only to be compassionate whenever he had the opportunity, I ask his prayers for the spiritually and materially homeless wherever they may be.

Here are a few of my favorites:

St. Benedict - need I explain why? I was captivated by his opening words from the Prologue of his Rule... St. Thomas Aquinas - for his theological genius and deep Eucharistic piety

St. Augustine - as one of our elder monks dubs him the "Best of the West" His Confessions was one of those books that one can not put down. It moved me very much.

St. John Damascene - for his defense of icons and sacramentality

St. Faustina - someone whom I feel combines elements of Eastern & Western devotion - her 'Chaplet of Divine Mercy' is reminiscent of the Jesus Prayer and ends with the Trisagion

Peace,

Br. Elias

Thanks for the sharings here about St. Benedict of Nursia who is also one of my favorites. I especially appreciate his Rule of St. Benedict and Lectio Divina. And I appreciate his connections with his sister, St. Scholastica. He listened to her although at times with hesitancy, but eventually agreeing.

In Christ,

Mary Jo

St. Mary of Egypt:

Because she struggled alot, and I can relate to struggling. She didn't use big words, yet she understood God (I'm not great with big words either). And, she shows us that God (and the Theotokos) don't give up on us no matter how much we screw up.

It also helps that her story is deep yet easy to read.

Kadylo

What a wonderful pleasant diversion!!
My Paton and intercessor is Aidan Bishop of Lindisfarne, a wonderful Celtic saint who has been there for me on many occasions.

The Troparion of Saint Aidan:
O holy Bishop Aidan, Apostle of the North and light of the Celtic Church, glorious in humility, noble in poverty, zealous monk and loving missionary, intercede for us sinners that Christ our God may have mercy on our souls.
Blessings,
Michael Aidan

St. Peter - Because I can relate to some of the hysterically stupid comments he made to Jesus in the New Testament. I learned from St. Peter when to open my mouth, but most importantly, when to keep it shut.

If I'm not mistaken, today is the first anniversary of the beatification of Blessed Charles of Austria-Hungary, the Friend of Peace.

Blessed Charles, entreat the Lord for us!


Incognitus

Shlomo Lkhoolkhoon,

My favorite Saint is Saint Maron the father of my Church. To quote Chor-Bishop Ronald Beshara about Mar Maroun:

Maron, a priest and hermit, known to John Chrysostom, walked the land once traveled by Peter and Paul. On the banks of the Orontes River, Father Maron converted an old pagan temple into a church. He spent his life teaching about the faith and ministering to many people with the gift of healing and counsel. Over 800 monks later followed in his footsteps. These early followers of the lifestyle and way of Maron were known as MARONITES.

Further, because of Mar Maroun our history as Maronites: "...reveals great sacrifices of their lives and possessions for their religious convictions and freedom. They defended the Council of Chalcedon (taught Christ is God and man, and Mary is Mother of God)..."

Lastly, we are the ONLY Apostolic Church that bears the name of a person and not a nation.

Poosh BaShlomo,
Yuhannon

Dear Jim you said:

" Filaret's granddaughter, a beautiful yet humble young woman, was chosen to compete in the imperial city, and was there chosen over courtiers and high-born women, who lacked her christian charity, to become the emperor's bride."

I ask:

I have heard that a golden appled was given by the Emporor to the girl chosen to be his bride. Does anyone have any information or stories on this?

Zenovia

I received an invition to attend a prayer service at Our Savior's Church , 59 Park Ave. in NYC at 7 in the evening for Bl. Charles.

If anyone is interested in attending please contact:

Bro. Nathan Cochran, OSB
at St. Vincent's Abbey
Latrobe, PA 15650

or
nathan.cochran@email.stvincent.edu
1-724-532-6672