Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:22):
Hello, family.
Welcome to Journeys of FaithSuper Saints Podcast.
It's Brother Joseph Ryaldenhovenhere at your service.
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(00:44):
until midnight, Monday, December1st.
The Power of Catholic SaintsPrayer Stories and Symbols.
Across centuries, believers havefound strength and guidance in
the stories and symbols of thesaints.
These holy figures, ordinarypeople transformed by
extraordinary faith, continue toshape how we understand
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devotion, sacrifice, andpurpose.
Exploring the meaning of saintshelps us see how their lives
mirror our own struggles andhopes, offering timeless lessons
in courage and compassion.
The saints and symbols that fillour churches, art, and
traditions remind us that faithspeaks not only through words,
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but through images, gestures,and acts of love.
Each halo, rose, or flame tellsa story that invites us to look
deeper into the mystery ofholiness and the enduring power
of example and what makes asaint.
To understand sainthood, ithelps to look at the
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canonization of saints, theformal process the Catholic
Church uses to recognize someoneas a model of holiness.
This process ensures that asaint's life was not only
virtuous, but also a source ofinspiration for others seeking
to live with faith and humility.
Here's what typically happens inthe canonization process.
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Servant of God.
The process begins at the localdiocesan level where the
candidates' life, writings, andreputation for holiness are
thoroughly examined.
If the bishop approves, thecause is sent to the Vatican's
congregation for the causes ofsaints.
Venerable.
After a detailed investigation,the Pope may declare the person
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venerable, recognizing that theylived a life of heroic virtue.
Beatification.
Beatification usually requiresone verified miracle attributed
to the candidate's intercession.
This allows limited publicveneration, often locally or
regionally.
Canonization.
Canonization typically requiresa second verified miracle.
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Once approved by the Pope, theperson is officially declared a
saint, recognized for universalveneration throughout the
Catholic Church.
This journey is both spiritualand deeply human.
It reflects the Church's beliefthat sanctity is attainable for
anyone who lives faithfully.
By understanding the meaning andtraditions of Catholic saints,
we learn how to live withcourage, compassion, and
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devotion in our everyday lives.
Saints and story lessons fromtheir lives.
Why read about the lives ofCatholic saints?
Reading about famous Catholicsaints provides guidance,
inspiration, and a model forliving a virtuous life.
Their stories remind us thatholiness is not distant or
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unattainable, but something wecan strive for in our everyday
choices and actions.
Consider these examples.
Saint Francis of Assisi, borninto wealth, Francis renounced
his inheritance to live inpoverty, seeing all creation as
a reflection of God's love.
His joyful simplicity and carefor animals remind us that
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devotion to God can guide oureveryday choices and inspire
stewardship of the earth.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta,leaving behind a comfortable
life, she founded theMissionaries of Charity and
cared for the sick, dying andabandoned in Kolkata streets.
Her story teaches thatcompassion and selfless service
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can reveal Christ's love whereit's most needed.
Saint Joan of Arc, a teenagegirl guided by faith, she led
armies and endured persecutionto follow what she believed was
God's call.
Her courage shows thatconviction and faith can empower
even the unlikely to doextraordinary things.
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Saint Therese of Lisieux, livingquietly in a convent, she found
holiness and ordinary acts donewith great love.
Her lesson endures small,sincere gestures of kindness,
have immense spiritual power,and bring us closer to God.
By exploring the lives ofsaints, we can draw practical
lessons for modern life.
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Their stories continue toinspire believers and offer
timeless wisdom for anyoneseeking guidance.
Symbols and iconography.
One of the most captivatingaspects of the saints' legacy is
their visual language.
The art of symbolism andCatholicism tell stories at a
glance, from halos to flowers totools of trade.
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Every symbol reveals somethingprofound about the saints'
virtues or martyrdom.
Common saintly symbols and theirmeanings include lilies, purity,
and devotion, often seen withthe Virgin Mary or Saint Joseph,
doves representing peace and theHoly Spirit seen in depictions
of saints like SaintScholastica, keys, the authority
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of faith, most notably held bySaint Peter, roses, associated
with Saint Therese of Lysieux,symbolizing her promise to let
fall a shower of roses fromheaven, animals.
Saint Francis and Saint Anthonyare often surrounded by animals,
symbolizing harmony with God'screation.
Iconography gives the saints auniversal language that
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transcends words.
It allows us to recognize virtuethrough color, shape, and
symbol.
By studying Catholic saints andtheir imagery, we gain deeper
insight into the values theyembodied and the faith
traditions that keep theirmemory alive.
Finding meaning in saints today.
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The lives of Catholic saintstoday continue to inspire
believers.
Their stories and symbols offaith remind us that holiness is
alive in everyday acts of love,courage, and service.
By reflecting on their examples,we discover new ways to live
with devotion and compassion.
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Here are some ways theirpresence endures in modern life,
patron saints for everydayneeds.
People still turn to Saint Judefor hope and hardship, Saint
Anthony for lost items, andSaint Christopher for safe
travels.
These moments show how faithbecomes part of daily life,
turning ordinary experiencesinto opportunities for
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connection with the divine,teaching the next generation.
By learning about the saints'courage, kindness, and
perseverance, children and teensdiscover role models who make
holiness tangible and relevantin the modern world.
Companions in prayer.
Saints often serve as trustedintercessors, offering guidance
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and comfort through prayer.
Many people use prayer cardsfeaturing saints' images and
prayers to focus theirintentions, creating a tangible
connection that strengthenstheir spiritual practice and
sense of support in daily lifeand inspiration for action.
The saints' lives encouragebelievers to bring compassion
into daily routines, whether byfeeding the hungry, caring for
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the sick, or advocating forjustice.
Ultimately, the power of oursaints continues to illuminate
what it means to live faithfullyin modern times.
Their courage, humility, andcompassion remain enduring
symbols of faith, showing us howto navigate life with purpose
and grace about journeys offaith.
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At Journeys of Faith, ourmission is to evangelize through
Catholic media, bringing thetruth of the Eucharist, the love
of Mary, the example of thesaints, and powerful testimonies
into everyday life.
We believe that by sharing theseliving treasures, we can help
build one heart, one mind, onespirit with one vision.
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distributing inspiring books,devotional items, and digital
resources to deepen faith andrenew hope.
Please consider making adonation or exploring our
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Thank you, family, for listeningto Super Saints Podcast.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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