I was glad when I read the topic for this week, because it was what I expected. I know so many Saints, they are my extended family members and of course role models for me to be more Christ-like. However, It's difficult for me to just pick one now.
Should I write about:
St. Francis of Assisi because he was a humble man,
St. Joseph of Cupertino for always interceding for me during my examination (If you don't know yet, he's the patron Saint for students taking examination),
St. Francis de Sales because he converted 60,000 anti-Catholic Calvinists through his writings, or St. Paul my patron saint, whom I can relate to?
I think St. Francis de Sales is the right one for this post! =)
I always have the desire in writing and last year, I really have strong passion to learn and write about Catholicism, because I realised that there are many people who don't know the Catholic Faith, even many Catholics don't know the proper Catholic teachings. I'm not so comfortable giving talk in public, so writing is the best option for me.
As what the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen once wrote: "There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Roman Catholic Church; there are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church." An easy example is that many people believe that Catholics worship Mary, which is not true. I even had a free-thinker friend telling me that the Catholic Goddess was a lady, he was referring to Mary! Then I explained to him that Mary is not Goddess and who is the real God.
St. Francis de Sales is the patron Saint for Journalists and writers because He won people's hearts through his writings and he was actually a good writer himself (I've read his famous book; Introduction to the Devout Life, it is great book for spiritual growth!).
He had such a heart and the love for Jesus Christ and His Church that he volunteered himself to go on a mission to the area where 60,000 Catholics were converted to Calvinism by John Calvin 60 years before. When he arrived, the people were pretty much anti-Catholics, so St. Francis often travelled by night, even in harsh weather. Getting soaked, chilled, and even chased away became a way of life for him. He actually spent one night secured by his belt to a tree branch, safely out of reach of a pack of dogs that had been set on him by an anti-Catholic farmer.
St. Francis' ministry was very challenging. Only few people would gather to listen to his sermons and his Masses were poorly attended; no one was willing to listen to his arguments in favour of Catholicism. Most priests that came before him, left because they were defeated by their inability to get through the people.
He realised that peer pressure was a reason why people didn't want to listen to his sermons. So he wrote his sermons and slipped his tracts under the door of each home. He really persevered in his mission. After just four years, through St. Francis de Sales's personal sanctity, preaching, writing and reaching out to those around him with unselfish charity and genuine Christ-like love, miracles happened. Within few years, 60,000 protestants had converted to the Catholic Church through the efforts of St. Francis de Sales!
I truly admire his perseverance and his trust & love for Christ. If he didn't have deep trust and love for God, he would have left the place and go to a place where he would be respected. But he obeyed God and believed that God would use him to be His instrument. He is a good example that I need to have a deep faith, love and perseverance in the mission to spread the Gospel. God will never fail his people and Jesus promised us that He'll be with us until the end of time!
When I read about him, I was inspired to have a blog about Catholicism, because it could be read by other people and at the same time it helps to organise my knowledge of Catholicism. I hope that it would bring the readers closer to God. If St. Francis still lives today, probably he would blog non-stop to spread the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is definitely more convenient than writing using pen and paper! =)
Should I write about:
St. Francis of Assisi because he was a humble man,
St. Joseph of Cupertino for always interceding for me during my examination (If you don't know yet, he's the patron Saint for students taking examination),
St. Francis de Sales because he converted 60,000 anti-Catholic Calvinists through his writings, or St. Paul my patron saint, whom I can relate to?
I think St. Francis de Sales is the right one for this post! =)
I always have the desire in writing and last year, I really have strong passion to learn and write about Catholicism, because I realised that there are many people who don't know the Catholic Faith, even many Catholics don't know the proper Catholic teachings. I'm not so comfortable giving talk in public, so writing is the best option for me.
As what the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen once wrote: "There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Roman Catholic Church; there are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church." An easy example is that many people believe that Catholics worship Mary, which is not true. I even had a free-thinker friend telling me that the Catholic Goddess was a lady, he was referring to Mary! Then I explained to him that Mary is not Goddess and who is the real God.
St. Francis de Sales is the patron Saint for Journalists and writers because He won people's hearts through his writings and he was actually a good writer himself (I've read his famous book; Introduction to the Devout Life, it is great book for spiritual growth!).
He had such a heart and the love for Jesus Christ and His Church that he volunteered himself to go on a mission to the area where 60,000 Catholics were converted to Calvinism by John Calvin 60 years before. When he arrived, the people were pretty much anti-Catholics, so St. Francis often travelled by night, even in harsh weather. Getting soaked, chilled, and even chased away became a way of life for him. He actually spent one night secured by his belt to a tree branch, safely out of reach of a pack of dogs that had been set on him by an anti-Catholic farmer.
St. Francis' ministry was very challenging. Only few people would gather to listen to his sermons and his Masses were poorly attended; no one was willing to listen to his arguments in favour of Catholicism. Most priests that came before him, left because they were defeated by their inability to get through the people.
He realised that peer pressure was a reason why people didn't want to listen to his sermons. So he wrote his sermons and slipped his tracts under the door of each home. He really persevered in his mission. After just four years, through St. Francis de Sales's personal sanctity, preaching, writing and reaching out to those around him with unselfish charity and genuine Christ-like love, miracles happened. Within few years, 60,000 protestants had converted to the Catholic Church through the efforts of St. Francis de Sales!
I truly admire his perseverance and his trust & love for Christ. If he didn't have deep trust and love for God, he would have left the place and go to a place where he would be respected. But he obeyed God and believed that God would use him to be His instrument. He is a good example that I need to have a deep faith, love and perseverance in the mission to spread the Gospel. God will never fail his people and Jesus promised us that He'll be with us until the end of time!
When I read about him, I was inspired to have a blog about Catholicism, because it could be read by other people and at the same time it helps to organise my knowledge of Catholicism. I hope that it would bring the readers closer to God. If St. Francis still lives today, probably he would blog non-stop to spread the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is definitely more convenient than writing using pen and paper! =)
Father God,
Grant that in the service of our fellow-men
we may always reflect your own gentleness and love,
and so imitate St. Francis de Sales,
whom you made all things to all men
for the saving of souls.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Amen.
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