Saints and Their Spiritual Teachings

Canonization

• Canonization is the declaration of a saint after a second miracle.

The Little Way

• The spirituality of Therese of Lisieux.
• Focuses on doing small acts of love for God.

Worship

• Worship is directed towards God.

Veneration

• Veneration shows respect to saints.

St. Francis of Assisi

• Highly popular saint.
• Embraced radical poverty.
• Loved animals and the poor.
• Received the stigmata.
• Attracted followers (Franciscans).

St. Thomas Aquinas

• Patron saint of educators and those afraid of lightning.
• His sister was killed by lightning.

St. Therese of Lisieux

• Known as the "Little Flower".
• Carmelite nun in the 19th century.
• Died young from consumption.
• Kept a spiritual journal.
• Developed "The Little Way" spirituality (doing small acts of love for God).

St. Isaac Jogues

• Popular Jesuit missionary who worked with Native Americans.
• Martyred.

St. Apollonia

• Patron saint of dentists and dentistry.
• Had all her teeth pulled out.

Merton's Monastic Order

• Merton joined the Trappist order.

Merton's Observation of Martin

• Father Martin saw peace in Merton's eyes.

Merton's Autobiography

• Merton's autobiography is titled "The Seven Storey Mountain".

Merton's Birth and Early Life

• Born in France in 1915.
• Mother was American.

Merton's College Rumor

• Rumors circulated about Merton getting a woman pregnant while at Cambridge University.

Merton's Move to the United States

• Moved to the United States to study at Columbia University.

Merton's Suicidal Thoughts

• Contemplated suicide while in New York.

Merton's Interest in the Church

• Inspired by philosophy to explore the Catholic faith.

Merton's Friends' Reaction to His Choice

• His friends were shocked by his decision to become a monk.

Merton's Autobiography's Success

• His autobiography, "The Seven Storey Mountain", became a bestseller and sold 60,000 copies in its first year.

Merton's Writing

• Merton was a prolific writer.

Merton's Death

• Died in Bangkok after slipping in the shower and being electrocuted.

Merton's Appreciation

• Merton was appreciated by people who felt imperfect, as he understood their flaws.

Merton's Self-Awareness

• Merton was self-aware of his flaws, including complaining too much.

Father Martin's Admiration of Merton

• Father Martin admired Merton's prayerfulness, passion for writing for God, holiness, seriousness towards religious life, challenging nature, and spiritual guidance.

Merton's Message

• Merton's life demonstrates that individuals can be flawed, true to themselves, and still be holy.

Father Martin's Favorite Merton Quote

• Father Martin's favorite quote is "To be a saint is to be yourself."

Merton's Broken Vows

• Merton broke his monastic vows by having an affair with a woman (his nurse).

Mother Teresa's Quote

• "Together we will do something beautiful for God."

Jim Martin's Work in Jamaica

• Worked with The Missionaries of Charity (founded by Mother Teresa) in Jamaica.

Care for the Sick and Dying

• The Missionaries of Charity cared for the sick and dying in Jamaica.

Mother Teresa's Birthdate and Nationality

• Born in 1910 in modern-day Albania (not India).

Mother Teresa and the Loreto Sisters

• Joined the Loreto Sisters (from Ireland).

Mother Teresa's Mission in India

• Sent to Calcutta, India, to teach young girls.

Mother Teresa's Divine Guidance

• Received guidance from Jesus on a train to "work with the poorest of the poor".

Mother Teresa's Work with the Poor

• Focused her work on the needs of street people.

Mother Teresa's Consolation

• Found consolation in God's presence.

Mob Leader's Support for Mother Teresa

• A mob leader eventually supported Mother Teresa after witnessing her care for the sick and poor.

Mother Teresa's Spiritual Darkness

• Experienced periods of spiritual darkness.

Mother Teresa's Spiritual Identification

• Identified with Christ on the cross and with the poor.

Mother Teresa's Life Compared to Others

• Jim Martin emphasizes that Mother Teresa's life is more relatable to all lives than we initially perceive.

Jim Martin's Actions for the Sick

• Took care of old men, attending to their basic needs such as bathing and clipping toenails.

Mother Teresa's Approach to People

• Mother Teresa treated each person with dignity and beauty.

Mother Teresa's Call to Others

• Encouraged people to "find their own Calcutta" as a call to action in their own lives.

Mother Teresa's Message of Sainthood

• Mother Teresa's life showcases how anyone can be a saint.

Mother Teresa's Persistence

• Demonstrated continued commitment to Christianity even with doubt.

Mother Teresa's Achievement

• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mother Teresa's Opposition to Abortion

• Was an outspoken opponent of abortion.

Mother Teresa's Additional Quotes

• Collected quotes from Mother Teresa, demonstrating her diverse views on religion and humanity.

St. Joseph's House of Hospitality

• Soup kitchen in Manhattan run by Dorothy Day, emphasizing dignity and privacy for guests.

Catholic Worker Movement

• Movement founded by Dorothy Day that included a penny-priced newspaper.

Dorothy Day's Birth and Profession

• Born in 1897 and became a journalist and activist.

Dorothy Day's Early Life and Conversion

• Lived a bohemian lifestyle, had an abortion, later converted to Catholicism, and became attracted to Catholic teachings.

Dorothy Day's Activism

• Involved in protesting WWI, WWII, and for women's suffrage.

Dorothy Day's Values and Actions

• Actively supported the poor and oppressed through non-violent means.
• Refused to support war efforts.
• Opposed conscription and banks.
• Supported credit unions and distribution for the needy.

Dorothy Day's Church Status

• Recognized as a Servant of God; a candidate for sainthood.

Dorothy Day's Autobiography

• Authored the autobiography "The Long Loneliness".

Vocation

• Exploration of individuals' calling in life.

Discernment

• Process of determining one's life direction (God's call to holiness).

Disciple

• Greek word meaning apprentice (following a master).

Three States in Life

• Ordained clergy (bishops, priests, deacons), members of consecrated life (nuns and monks), and married or single lay members.