Inspirational Saints & Other People
WORK IN PROGRESS....
Many times, in order to help us deal with the various problems in our own lives, we like to read about the challenges that others have struggled with and ultimately overcame. As Catholics, we also turn to our friends in heaven for assistance, both as role models and for their heavenly intercession. I plan to offer many examples of saints, blessed, and modern/living lay and religious men/women who have dealt with or have been a prodigal who ultimately returned to the Church.
SAINTS WHO WERE PARENTS OR SPOUSES OF PRODIGAL LOVED ONES
This will be a growing list of saints who were either married to non-believers, or had children who fell away from the Faith. The most obvious saint would be St. Monica, but there are others like St. Rita of Cascia, St. Elizabeth of Portugal, St. Catherine of Genoa, and Blessed Elizabeth Canori Mora.
SAINTS WHO WERE PRODIGAL AND CONVERTED, OR WHO CAME FROM NON-RELIGIOUS HOMES
There were a number of saints who did not start out as a devout Christian, or who drifted from the faith, but then came back to become saints. While we may not know the identities of their parents, it is still inspiring to read how God (either directly or indirectly) brought them back to Him.
PRIESTS OR RELIGIOUS WHO WERE PRODIGAL AND RETURNED/CONVERTED
There are a number of modern-day priests, monks/brothers, and nuns/sisters who have talked about drifting away from the Church (or even being agnostic) in their youth, before being called to the Church and the religious life.
LAY PEOPLE WHO WERE PRODIGAL AND RETURNED/CONVERTED
Likewise, there are many conversion stories of people who either left the Church, or were even agnostic or Satanists, but then later were converted and became Catholics later in life.
SAINTS FOR CHILDREN & TEENAGERS – ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE STRUGGLING LEARNERS, MISUNDERSTOOD OR BULLIED
Sometimes, a child may drift from the Faith because they feel misunderstood or helpless or unloved. Here are some saints who faced difficulties in their childhood and youth, but yet preserved and became saints. These saints could provide inspiration and heavenly aid for those struggling children.
QUOTES FROM SAINTS & SCRIPTURE – REGARDING TRIALS, TRUSTING IN GOD, PERFECTING OURSELVES, SUFFERING FOR OUR LOVED ONES
Sometimes we need to hear encouraging words when we begin to feel discouraged or think that our efforts are hopeless. This section will contain many quotes from saints and scripture that talk about trusting in God, dealing with trials, suffering for our loved ones and others, and striving to perfect our own spiritual lives.