Today's presentation was requested by the Be A Holy Family Ministry at my parish. Consequently, the main message I tried to convey was directed towards the family unit: that sanctity can exist in a household not just in one individual but also possible in both parents and amongst multiple siblings ... and this ministry used the lives of certain Saints (and their sacred relics) to drive the point home!
L to R: Relics of St. Carlo Acutis, Our Lady's veil,
Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin, St. Therese of Lisieux
For example: I featured Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin and their great Saint of a daughter - St. Therese the Little Flower ... and let's not overlook Leonie, another of the Martin sisters who is now up for sainthhood, herself, after having lived a virtuous life as a Visitation nun.The there's St. Pope John Paul II whose own parents - Karol Sr. and Emilia Wojtyla - have had their Causes for Sainthood recently opened in Krakow, Poland. Furthermore, there's St. Gianna Beretta Molla who had two brothers who became priests, and a sister became a nun. One of these siblings - Fr. Alberto Beretta of Milan - has already been declared Venerable.
L to R: Relics of St. John Paul II, St. Gianna Beretta
Molla, St. Padre Pio, and St. Benedict of Nursia
And let's not forget St. Benedict of Nursia and his twin sister, St. Scholastica. So, as one can see, holiness is not only possible in individuals but also within multiple family members; often, the exceptional faith-example of parents are a significant factor.
Besides the above-mentioned holy individuals, others featured with their respective relics were Bl. Alexandrina Maria da Costa, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Padre Pio, St. Teresa of Avila, and Our Lady's veil.
L to R: Relics of Bl. Alexandrina Maria da Costa,
St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Teresa of Avila, and
St. Bernadette of Lourdes
And finally, the audience was very attentive and engaged. What was awesome was several of the men - fathers - approached me to personally say "thank you" and to express how much they learned; it's usually women who come up to talk with me so the men being expressive was extra-special affirmation for this ministry that the Saints had once again made a positive impact in people's lives.
Parents and their children venerating our
great and holy spiritual heroes!
All Thanks and Praises be to God, our Blessed Mother, and the Saints!
No comments:
Post a Comment
[Your comment/feedback is welcomed. However, business advertisements of any sort are not allowed and will be deleted. Thank you.]