saints alive

INTRODUCTION TO SAINTS ALIVE!

SaintsWelcome to 'Saints Alive!', the pages which could well be your GATEWAY TO LIFE. Here we shall be taking a look at some aspects of life as associated with various 'Patron Saints' such as:-. Luke, the patron saint of physicians, will be one of our major concerns, leading in to aspects of healing which will be illustrated by several true stories of miraculous cures as well as taking a sympathetic look at why such healing does not come to all. Some will see in death the ultimate 'healing' and this subject will not be ignored. Thomas — the patron saint of architects — will interest us more for the fact that he was the one who was not afraid to express his doubtful faith. This will encourage us to look at how faith can be developed and strengthened. Joseph will take us into aspects of family life.

We also look at a wide range of saints, including each of the saints to whom our churches are dedicated. For the complete list see the navbar.

Gateway to Life

GateThe open gate beckons us to enter into the garden beyond and to explore the delights which are at present largely hidden behind those stone walls. We shall be seeking after the open spaces and the sunlight — but also braving the storms of life and its darker moments.

What this means is that, in a world full of sickness and despair, where individuals seek after their own welfare and pleasure no matter what the consequences for others, we shall be looking for signs of healing and wholeness, support and encouragement.

RainbowOne of many natural signs of hope that we see in nature is the rainbow, that miracle of light giving the promise of better weather ahead despite the storm clouds. We shall not be searching for any fabled 'Crock of Gold' at the end of the rainbow, but we shall be considering aspects of the theme of light in our lives. But those storm clouds also remain a reality and we shall also be giving consideration to some of the darker aspects of mortal life, not least being the subject of death and of mourning. In all this we shall endeavour to bring hope and reassurance as well as to answer some of the many questions which such topics always raise.

This is not to say that we have all the answers, neither will they necessarily be the only ones — there will be contoversy, especially where the aspect of faith enters into the discussion, but we will try to present a balanced picture.

 

 

 

what is a saint?

  • A small child was asked to give a definition of ‘A Saint’ in Sunday School. She looked up at a stained glass window and said: ‘A Saint is someone who lets the light through.’

  • That seems a very good definition, a very good way of putting it. A 'Saint' is someone who is completely him or herself, with the gifts, or talents, or just the personality that God designed them to be; certainly an individual with all the character and the quirks that make an individual, yet at the same time transparent to God, letting the light of the Eternal One shine through.

fallible people

For the wonderful thing about saints is that they were human. They lost their tempers, got angry, scolded God, were egotistical or testy or impatient in their turns, made mistakes and regretted them. Still they went on doggedly blundering toward heaven.

Phyllis McGinley.