Essay On Patron Saints

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Can you imagine running away and leaving everyone you love and care about? St. Dymphna had to when she was only 14 years old. In this essay I will tell you what a saint is and about the life of St. Dymphna.

Saints, broadly speaking, are those who follow Jesus Christ and live their lives according to his teachings. Catholics, however, also use the term narrowly to refer to especially holy men and women who, through extraordinary lives of virtue, have already entered Heaven. (Ritchert)

There are five steps to sainthood. First, the person’s local bishop investigates their life by gathering information from witnesses of their life and any writings they may have written. If the bishop finds them to be worthy of being a saint, then he submits the …show more content…

These areas can include occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, causes -- anything that is important to us. The earliest records show that people and churches were named after apostles and martyrs as early as the fourth century. Recently, the popes have named patron saints but patrons can be chosen by other individuals or groups as well. Patron saints are often chosen today because an interest, talent, or event in their lives overlaps with the special area. Angels can also be named as patron saints. A patron saint can help us when we follow the example of that saint's life and when we ask for that saint's intercessory prayers to God. (“Frequently Asked Questions about …show more content…

Dymphna is represented in many different ways like: being beheaded by the king, kneeling at Mass while her father murders the priest Gerebernus, praying in a cloud surrounded by a group of lunatics bound with golden chains, princess holding a lamp and sword, princess with a sword holding the devil on a leash, young woman with Saint Gerebernus, woman with a sword in her hand and a fettered devil at her feet, wearing a crown; dressed in ermine and royal robes; and holding a sword, holding a sword pricking the neck of a demon, holding a lamp; with the chained devil at her feet, and wearing green and white holding a book and white lilies. (“Saint

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