Saintly Endeavours
By Clare Schwantes
It has been exam time recently at my house, and with four teenagers in their final years of secondary school there’s a palpable buzz of activity. As they work to prepare assignments, exam notes, multi-modal presentations and music compositions, it is clear that they are navigating a fine pathway between feeling industrious and just plain overwhelmed. As a parent, the natural inclination is to assist with time management skills, encourage a distraction-free environment, and be a general source of academic and emotional support. But it was the perspective of a grandmother that helpfully shifted the focus and added to our arsenal of tools designed to conquer the exam period. This came to my attention during a ‘scheduled break’ when I overheard my daughters discussing something quite unexpected. Their grandmother had suggested they might like to find out the patron saint of studying to help them through these challenging weeks, and they had subsequently become rather engrossed in the stories of the saints. The following morning on the way to school, one of them commented, ‘I wonder if that man has said a prayer to St Vincent Ferrer today’. I confess I was rather puzzled as we pulled up beside a utility van advertising a plumbing company. When I enquired further, I was promptly informed, ‘Well, St Vincent Ferrer is the patron saint of plumbers, of course!’
Why has the Catholic tradition of honouring the saints become relatively unfamiliar to young people today? Some decades ago, children preparing for Confirmation were asked to select the name of a saint who exhibited qualities they admired or whose life or death had particularly inspired them. This opportunity to explore the lives of the saints has become less common in recent times, with Confirmation preparation programs focussing instead on honouring the child’s baptismal name and highlighting the unity of the Sacraments of Initiation. Children who attend Catholic schools often learn only about the saint after whom their school has been named, or about the saint who founded the religious order responsible for establishing their school. Others may have heard a parent or grandparent saying a frantic prayer to St Anthony when something important has been lost and needs to be found quickly.
Giving students the opportunity to learn about the saints in a more intentional way, and to research one saint in particular, according to their interests, introduces them to the vastness of the Catholic tradition and the variety of ways in which people have demonstrated their faith. Yet, it is important to note that learning about the saints is more than introducing children to an important element of the Catholic tradition; it has a contemporary and real-world relevance, highlighting for students that they can model holiness in whichever situations they find themselves. It is all too easy for a study of the saints to become limited to a collation of biographical details and interesting facts about an historical person. However, the most important thing for students to keep in mind is: How does this person help me to be more like Jesus? Another concrete and relevant connection for students is the capacity of the saints to help us through their intercessory prayer. Of course, students need to understand that they are not praying to the saints to help them directly, but rather asking the saints to plead with God on our behalf so that God might act to effect a positive outcome.
Giving students the opportunity to learn about the saints in a more intentional way, and to research one saint in particular, according to their interests, introduces them to the vastness of the Catholic tradition and the variety of ways in which people have demonstrated their faith. Yet, it is important to note that learning about the saints is more than introducing children to an important element of the Catholic tradition; it has a contemporary and real-world relevance, highlighting for students that they can model holiness in whichever situations they find themselves. It is all too easy for a study of the saints to become limited to a collation of biographical details and interesting facts about an historical person. However, the most important thing for students to keep in mind is: How does this person help me to be more like Jesus? Another concrete and relevant connection for students is the capacity of the saints to help us through their intercessory prayer. Of course, students need to understand that they are not praying to the saints to help them directly, but rather asking the saints to plead with God on our behalf so that God might act to effect a positive outcome.
Choosing a saint
Saints included in the General Roman Calendar are celebrated throughout the liturgical year, by way of solemnity, feast, memorial or optional memorial. However, the liturgical calendar includes only a small selection of the saints listed in the Roman Martyrology, a 776-page volume which lists all the canonised saints venerated by the Catholic Church.
A project like this could be a year-long side activity in the classroom, a supplement to the RE curriculum alongside daily classroom prayer. As children begin to explore the lives of the saints either in books or online, some of the saints they uncover may seem familiar and others somewhat more obscure. Even trying to pronounce some of the saints’ names can be engaging for children! The age of the students will determine how many saints they might initially explore before choosing one to present to their group.
Saints included in the General Roman Calendar are celebrated throughout the liturgical year, by way of solemnity, feast, memorial or optional memorial. However, the liturgical calendar includes only a small selection of the saints listed in the Roman Martyrology, a 776-page volume which lists all the canonised saints venerated by the Catholic Church.
A project like this could be a year-long side activity in the classroom, a supplement to the RE curriculum alongside daily classroom prayer. As children begin to explore the lives of the saints either in books or online, some of the saints they uncover may seem familiar and others somewhat more obscure. Even trying to pronounce some of the saints’ names can be engaging for children! The age of the students will determine how many saints they might initially explore before choosing one to present to their group.
♦Children may like to begin by finding out the saint who shares their first, middle or even surname.
♦In cases where a child does not share their name with a saint, they could learn about the saint whose feast falls on their birthday.
♦Some children may prefer to find a saint that corresponds to a particular interest or talent they have. Some examples follow.
** Children who are ARTISTS may find an affinity with St Catherine of Bologna who excelled in painting and drawing. Others may enjoy learning about St Albert Chmielowski, a famous Polish painter who eventually ended his career as an artist to devote his life to the poor.
** The patron saint of MUSICIANS, St Cecilia, may appeal who children who sing or play a musical instrument. Budding composers may relate to St Romanus the Melodist or St Hildegard of Bingen, both known for their musical compositions.
** Those who are ATHLETES may enjoy learning about St Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes and archers, or St Teresa of the Andes who loved swimming and horseback riding.
** Students who are WRITERS may find inspiration in the story of Teresa of Avila, who wrote extensively and was one of only a few female Doctors of the Church, or St Augustine, a prolific writer and Doctor of the Church who experienced a powerful conversion.
** Children who have a special connection with nature or ANIMALS may enjoy exploring the stories of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, or St Kateri Tekakwitha, patron saint of ecology and environment, and the first Native American to be recognised as a saint by the Catholic Church.
** Those who are HIGH ACHIEVERS may be interested in the life of St Abbo of Fleury, a scientist and mathematician who studied the theory of numbers before Arabic numbers were introduced, or St Catherine of Siena a great scholar and philosopher.
** Some may feel a particular connection with their CULTURAL HERITAGE and choose to learn about the patron saint of their country. There are various websites which list the patron saints of each country for those students who may be interested in this.
Some students may struggle with a particular PROBLEM, and may be able to relate to those patron saints most closely.
♦ Young students who are afraid of the dark may feel a connection with St Giles, a saint who lived in the forest for many years and endured many dark nights.
♦ Those who are afraid of thunderstorms may find appealing the story of St Medard who was sheltered from the rain by a hovering eagle during a storm.
♦ Those who need courage in other areas of their life may identify with the story of St Joan of Arc, a young saint who showed great courage in leading an army to victory.
♦ Students who struggle with anxiety or depression may find comfort in the witness of St Ignatius of Loyola or St Teresa of Calcutta.
♦ Those who are working towards exams may like to learn about (and pray for the intercession of!) St Joseph of Cupertino.
♦ Students who tend to procrastinate may find motivation in the story of St Expeditus.
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Resources to Enhance a Study of the Saints
BOOKS:
It will be important to have an array of suitable books available about the lives of the saints, and to let the students explore these during quiet reading times. Here are a few suggestions which come recommended.
The Loyola Treasury of Saints
The Picture Book Of Saints
St. Joseph Picture Books Gift Set
Around The Year Once Upon A Time Saints
Saints And Angels
An Alphabet Of Saints
Can You Find Saints
WEBSITES:
To guide the students’ research, it may be helpful to compile a preliminary list of websites where they might begin searching. For example:
https://teachingcatholickids.com/category/saints/
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/saints/saints-stories-for-all-ages/
https://www.catholic.org/saints/fun_facts_arch.php
https://www.catholic.org/saints/popular.php
ONLINE VIDEOS ABOUT THE SAINTS:
It is important to curate these resources, as some online videos can be frightening or disturbing for children. The YouTube channel, Stories of Saints for Kids, offers short videos on many of the saints. Searches for particular saints can reveal a range of age-appropriate videos for children and teens, especially those particular to the Australian context which are not found in typical collections such as Mary MacKillop.
HOLY PICTURES:
Small cards showing pictures of individual saints and a brief story about them can be a good resource to have in the classroom too, as easy-to-access information snippets. These also provide artistic representations which students may find appealing. There are sets of holy pictures of the saints available which are suitable for younger children and others which would be better for slightly older students. You may be able to access some of the art of Bro. Mickey McGrath.
THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR:
Throughout the year, teachers can briefly introduce the saint/s whose feast falls on a particular liturgical day. Involving the class in prayer and action for the people associated with that saint/s will create a meaningful connection to the students’ lives.
♦ On July 26, the Church celebrates the memorial of St Joachim and St Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus. On this day, the class might ask God, through the intercession of St Joachim and St Anne, to bless their grandparents in a special way. Grandparents could be invited in for a morning tea celebration.
♦ August 10 marks the feast of St Lawrence, a saint who was generous to the poor and needy. On this day, students could be encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to be delivered to St Vincent de Paul, or hold a cake stall at school with proceeds going to a local charity. As a class, the students could pray in a special way for the poor and disadvantaged in their community and ask for the intercession of St Lawrence.
BOOKS:
It will be important to have an array of suitable books available about the lives of the saints, and to let the students explore these during quiet reading times. Here are a few suggestions which come recommended.
The Loyola Treasury of Saints
The Picture Book Of Saints
St. Joseph Picture Books Gift Set
Around The Year Once Upon A Time Saints
Saints And Angels
An Alphabet Of Saints
Can You Find Saints
WEBSITES:
To guide the students’ research, it may be helpful to compile a preliminary list of websites where they might begin searching. For example:
https://teachingcatholickids.com/category/saints/
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/saints/saints-stories-for-all-ages/
https://www.catholic.org/saints/fun_facts_arch.php
https://www.catholic.org/saints/popular.php
ONLINE VIDEOS ABOUT THE SAINTS:
It is important to curate these resources, as some online videos can be frightening or disturbing for children. The YouTube channel, Stories of Saints for Kids, offers short videos on many of the saints. Searches for particular saints can reveal a range of age-appropriate videos for children and teens, especially those particular to the Australian context which are not found in typical collections such as Mary MacKillop.
HOLY PICTURES:
Small cards showing pictures of individual saints and a brief story about them can be a good resource to have in the classroom too, as easy-to-access information snippets. These also provide artistic representations which students may find appealing. There are sets of holy pictures of the saints available which are suitable for younger children and others which would be better for slightly older students. You may be able to access some of the art of Bro. Mickey McGrath.
THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR:
Throughout the year, teachers can briefly introduce the saint/s whose feast falls on a particular liturgical day. Involving the class in prayer and action for the people associated with that saint/s will create a meaningful connection to the students’ lives.
♦ On July 26, the Church celebrates the memorial of St Joachim and St Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus. On this day, the class might ask God, through the intercession of St Joachim and St Anne, to bless their grandparents in a special way. Grandparents could be invited in for a morning tea celebration.
♦ August 10 marks the feast of St Lawrence, a saint who was generous to the poor and needy. On this day, students could be encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to be delivered to St Vincent de Paul, or hold a cake stall at school with proceeds going to a local charity. As a class, the students could pray in a special way for the poor and disadvantaged in their community and ask for the intercession of St Lawrence.
What to include in a presentation
In presenting their saint to their peers, students could be asked to include some or all of the following information in their final presentations.
♦ Where and when was the saint born?
♦ What are some interesting facts about the saint’s life?
♦ What is the date of their feast day?
♦ If this saint is a ‘patron saint’, list the groups that s/he is a patron of.
♦ At what times might we ask this saint to help us?
♦ How can this saint help us to be more like Jesus?
♦ What is your special connection to this saint? Why did you choose this saint?
It might be opportune to plan the conclusion of such a unit around 1 November with the Solemnity of All Saints, and to have a class celebration in honour of all the saints.
Possible formats for the presentation
♦ Make a poster or PowerPoint presentation.
♦ Dress up and do a role-play monologue in character as the saint, telling the class about your life and how you can help the listeners be more like Jesus.
♦ Present information on A5 cards and make a class display.
♦ Create a video biography of the saint.
♦ Create a ‘Saintsbook’ page for the saint.
♦ Choose a prayer written by your chosen saint and lead the class in praying it.
♦ Lead the class in a craft activity you have found online which pertains to the saint.
♦ Write a song or rap to capture the main qualities and virtues of the saint.
♦ Build a constructed model or statue that depicts key attributes of the saint.
♦ Create a comic strip either on paper or on the computer to represent the saint’s life.
♦ Write a poem about the saint and how we might follow their example.
As students explore the lives of saints from different centuries and different places, they will come to notice a common set of values and attitudes to aspire to which transcend the boundaries of time and culture. The saints, although usually not popular or well-known figures in their time, offer genuine examples of discipleship, service, loyalty, perseverance, faith, generosity, love and hope. It would be a fruitful activity to spend some time discussing people in the students’ own lives who exhibit ‘saintly’ qualities and who provide contemporary examples of these attributes as they strive to live according to the teachings of Jesus.
However, it should be very apparent to students that those venerated by the Church as saints were not perfect people; St Augustine famously prayed for the strength to be pure, ‘but not yet’. Highlighting these imperfections helps children to realise that becoming a saint is always a work in progress. The children should be encouraged to relate to the saints as ordinary people who faced enormous challenges, but who were able to achieve extraordinary things through the grace of God. Ultimately, students should feel assured that the saints pray with us and for us to God who alone has the power to bring about positive change in our lives.
However, it should be very apparent to students that those venerated by the Church as saints were not perfect people; St Augustine famously prayed for the strength to be pure, ‘but not yet’. Highlighting these imperfections helps children to realise that becoming a saint is always a work in progress. The children should be encouraged to relate to the saints as ordinary people who faced enormous challenges, but who were able to achieve extraordinary things through the grace of God. Ultimately, students should feel assured that the saints pray with us and for us to God who alone has the power to bring about positive change in our lives.
Clare Schwantes, teacher and liturgist, chairs the National Liturgical Council and works for Liturgy Brisbane.
The original article can be viewed in Liturgy News Vol 51/2 Winter 2021.
Images from Unsplash and Pixabay. Used under license/with permission.
The original article can be viewed in Liturgy News Vol 51/2 Winter 2021.
Images from Unsplash and Pixabay. Used under license/with permission.