"Becoming Friends with the Saints" and "Inspired by the Saints" were presented during the Pilgrim Center of Hope's June 2010 Day of Prayer and Healing.

1. DAY OF
PRAYER &
HEALING
at the Pilgrim Center of Hope

2. We all need a little help
from our friends.
presented by Angela Santana, Ministry Coordinator

3. Warning!
Church teaching is too rich & too beautiful to discuss in one
morning. Commit to personal study as follow-up exercises.

4. Becoming Friends
with the Saints

5. What is a saint?
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

6. There are far more saints than canonized saints.
...
Canonization recognizes what God has already done.
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

7. By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly
proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and
lived in fidelity to God’s grace, the Church
recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within
her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing
the saints to them as models and intercessors.
CCC #828
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

8. Saints:
- practiced heroic virtue
- lived in fidelity to God’s grace
- are now with God
- models and intercessors for us
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

9. How are we connected?
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

10. Communion of saints: What is the Church if not the
assembly of all the saints?
- Nicetas of Remesiana, 4th century
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

11. Communion of saints:
CCC#954
In glory
Died & are being purified
Pilgrims on earth
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

12. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and
peace to those who were near, for through him we both have
access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer
strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with
the holy ones and members of the household of God, built
upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with
Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the
whole structure is held together and grows into a temple
sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built
together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
- Eph. 2:17-22
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

13. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled
with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.
- Rev. 5:8
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

14. Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow
pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our
communion with the saints joins us to Christ.
CCC#957
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

15. Since all the faithful form one body, the good of each
is communicated to the others.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

16. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one
member is honored, all rejoice together.
- 1 Cor. 12:26
...the least of our acts done in charity redounds to
the profit of all. Every sin harms this communion.
CCC#953
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

17. The fruit of all the sacraments belongs to all the
faithful. All the sacraments are sacred links uniting
the faithful with one another and binding them to
Jesus Christ...
The communion of saints must be understood as the
communion of the sacraments.
CCC#950
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

18. How do I become friends
with the saints?
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

19. Well...what is a friend?
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

20. Step 1: Meet a Saint
- Books
- Web
- Catholic TV / Radio
... or walk into a parish!
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

21. Step 2: Get to know him/her.
- When, where did he/she live?
- What struggles did he/she have?
- How did they draw close to God?
- What did he/she say?
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

22. Step 3: Introduce yourself.
- Begin with prayer.
- Have a chat.
- Use their words/actions to guide your own
reflection and prayer.
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

23. Step 4: Ask for help.
- Formal / spontaneous prayer
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

24. Step 5: Keep your eyes open & be thankful.
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

25. Am I working towards
becoming a saint?
Becoming Friends
with the Saints

26. All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status
are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the
perfection of charity. Lumen Gentium
Vatican Council II
Inspired by the Saints

27. Each of us must examine his thoughts, words and
deeds, to see whether they are directed toward
Christ or are turned away from him.
St. Gregory of Nyssa
Inspired by the Saints

28. It’s time for a break.
Please maintain a quiet environment.

29. Do I live a life of prayer? How?
What distracts me from fully trusting in God?
Am I a living example of God’s love? How have I failed?
What gifts has God given me?
How have I used my gifts and talents for God’s glory?
Inspired by the Saints

30. Inspired by the Saints

31. Holiness is that contact with God, making oneself a
friend of God, allowing him to act, the only one who
can really make the world good and fill it with light.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Pope Benedict XVI
Inspired by the Saints

32. Holiness is that contact with God, making oneself a
friend of God, allowing him to act, the only one who
can really make the world good and fill it with light.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Pope Benedict XVI
Inspired by the Saints

33. The saint are models of holiness – for as many
problems, life situations, personalities, races, ages...
as there are colors in the rainbow.
Inspired by the Saints

34. We can gain insights and inspiration on every topic.
Example: I need help with prayer. How can I become more
motivated to pray?
Inspired by the Saints

35. Meet my friend
Josemaría Escrivá
1902-1975
Lost 3 sisters & father. Knew
hardship in poverty. Priest.
Supported his family.
Also studied civil law.
Founder of Opus Dei.
Inspired by the Saints

36. Let’s resolve to...
- meet the saints.
- always be aware of their love for us.
- remain aware of the effects of our actions on the
communion of saints.
- remember saints’ desire to help us.
- foster a friendship with them.
- allow their example to draw us closer to Jesus.
Inspired by the Saints

37. Questions?

38. Lectio Divina

39. Please...
- Separate into small group(s) or individual places.
- Open Bible to Luke 9:57-62.
Lectio Divina

40. Step 1: Oratio (read)
- Read the passage.
- Read it again slowly, listening for words that stand
out to you.
Lectio Divina

41. Step 2: Meditatio (meditate)
Think carefully and meditate over the words you
have just heard. Remember: this is God speaking to
you.
What does this Scripture mean to you? How can you
relate it to your daily life?
Lectio Divina

42. Step 3: Oratio (pray)
Respond to God in silent prayer. You may want to:
- give thanks
- give praise
- ask for forgiveness
- give your trust
- seek help
- make commitment to change your life in some way
Lectio Divina

43. Step 4: Contemplatio (contemplate)
Simply sit in God’s presence. No words are
necessary. Think of a couple in love – sometimes
just being in the beloved’s presence is enough.
Lectio Divina

44. Post-Lectio Devina
You may want to record some of your thoughts,
prayers, new goals, etc. in writing.
Lectio Divina