The Full Radiance of His Glory:

A Devotional Project in Honor of the Saints

Catechetical Day for Diocese of JolietPresentation for Parents

October 22, 2013

...Since Baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God through incorporation into Christ and the indwelling of his Spirit, it

would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and

a shallow religiosity. To ask catechumens: "Do you wish to receive Baptism?" means at

the same time to ask them: "Do you wish to become holy?" 

- Blessed John Paul II, Novo Millennio Ineunte, 31

In Our Time Together…

•Who are the saints?

•Why learn about the saints?

•How can you help your children grow in devotion to the saints?

1. Who are the saints?

“

”

SAINT: The ‘holy one’ (sancti) who leads a life in union with God

through the grace of Christ and receives the reward of eternal life.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Glossary

• Lives in union with God• Receives gift of eternal life in Heaven

Ten Things You Need to Know About the Saints

(AND, TEACH TO OTHERS)

1. Saints are God’s friends.

They are holy, like God.

2. Saints are NOT sad!

“God save us from

sour-faced saints!”

-St. Teresa of Avila

3. Saints live lives of heroic virtue.

Virtue—a good habit

4. Saints serve.

“Whatever you did for one of

these least brothers of

mine, you did for me.”

-Matthew 25:40

5. Sometimes saints manifest extraordinary

gifts…

…and sometimes, they don’t!

6. Saints inspire us by their witness.

7. Saints intercede for

us.

“I will spend my heaven doing good

on earth!” - St. Therese of Lisieux

8. Saints come from all

backgrounds and walks of

life.

9. The Church is a “communion of

saints”

• Souls in Heaven• Souls in

Purgatory• Followers of

Christ on earth

10. You and I are called to be saints!

“Holiness is not the luxury of a few people,

but a simple duty for you and me.”

- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

2. Why teach about the saints?

• We are ALL called to be SAINTS

• The saints inspire us to be all that we are called to be

• The saints are part of our family history

• The saints are real heroes

• We need all the help we can get…and the saints are ready to give us a hand!

3. How can you help your children grow in devotion to the saints?

• Help them to understand that saints are regular people who did normal things….in an extraordinary way

• Read stories together about the lives of the saints

• When reading about saints, encourage your child(ren) to name a particular virtue or characteristic of that saint’s life that is worthy of imitation

• Encourage your child when he/she practices virtue

• Help your children see that THEY are called to be saints

Ways your family can honor the saints at home:• Set up a shrine for the saint of the week (picture or

statue)

• Ask the saint’s intercession at the end of family prayers

• As a family, imitate the virtues of that saint—practice being kind, generous, etc.

• Celebrate the feasts of the saints and the liturgical seasons: • The Catholic Home by Meredith Gould

• The Year and Our Children by Mary Reed Newland

• www. Domestic - Church . com