In early Christianity, the saint was the highest honors that could possibly be bestowed onto a woman. The women who were granted the title of saint were those who not only possessed the qualities of a good christian but the people who took action, that had a profound effect, in the name of their religion. With that being said, those who received sanctity didn’t necessarily fit the same mold. Two very interesting examples of how contrasting actions had the ability to lead an individual to be somewhat immortalized in sainthood are the stories of Saint Balthild as well as Perpetua and Felicity. One of the things that was most noticeable between the two passages was that perpetua and felicity was written by Perpetua herself while the story of
For the author, the fact that Perpetua is a woman strengthens her sacrifice for her faith. This is due to the societal norms and customs she disobeys and overcomes to become a martyr. In ancient Rome, they lived in a patriarchal society. This will make her disobedience of her father more noteworthy as it violates the cultural custom. In her writing, Perpetua talks of her father coming to her in the prison. She says “He came up to me to cast down my faith saying: Have pity, daughter, on my grey hairs; have pity on your father, if I am worthy to be called father by you” (The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas 5). Multiple times, her father comes to her in prison, begging that she say she is not a Christian so she may live. Through this interaction with her father, we can see his fatherly love as he tries to prevent her death. We also see a sort of disgrace that comes from a daughter’s disobedience, she writes that her father says “give me not over to the reproach of men” (The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas 5). This show of direct disobedience of her father portrays Perpetua as a stronger martyr. She is not only giving her life for her faith, but going against society and customs, saying her beliefs are more important than both. This is a strong example to encourage conversion to Christianity. When Perpetua is in prison, her father tells her to “look upon your son, who will not endure to live after you” (The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas 5). This leads to another point concerning Perpetua as a woman. If she dies for her faith, she will abandon her child and give up being a mother. In ancient times, much of a women’s identity was in her ability to be a good mother. With her martyrdom, Perpetua will choose faith over this key part of her life and legacy. This, yet again, shows why, by being a woman, Perpetua is a strong example in the author’s purpose to convert
believed to be less of a person during the Middle Ages. If you were to loose your honor,
Although the word “Saint” is used in reference to one Roman Catholic person who is in his/her mortal life had such exemplar life of holiness then the Church proclaims that she/he is officially declared as a Saint. The official declaration is called “Canonization” and it’s a long process that may take not just years but centuries to make it official. For example, San Juan Diego, his canonization process took more than 450 years because the Church were on the contrary to many anti-Catholics of prejudices and the beliefs were extremely cautious. The Church does not declare that someone is a saint until proven that the person was delivered to the Will of God in their life that the person is willing to become one harmony of the love and Grace of God for the people.
...ain characters in each novel. Although the novels are written by two different women at two very different times, there is a strong connection between the two men.
There are thousands of saints who all lived amazing and virtuous lives, and we can only pick one for Confirmation. The Saint who had the deepest impact on my heart and the one I picked was Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. She was a marvelous women who did only what was right by God. Saint Kateri was the first Native American that was recognized by the Catholic church and I have Native American in my blood going way back. Saint Kateri is important to me because she is an amazing role model, and I feel as if I can connect with her the most. Kateri is very outstanding women; she is very strong in the way she lives her life. Kateri is very connected with nature and the lives around her, which I am also.
In the year 203 Perpetua became a Christian even though she could be killed, because Christians were being persecuted. Her father was worried for her safety and tried to talk her out of converting. At this time, Perpetua was well educated and had baby boy, but it is assumed that she is a widow. Her father continued to dissuade her from converting, but she kept on saying she was a Christian. Her father was so mad she converted, that he attacked her. After the attack she was arrested and imprisoned. Four other catechumens, and a catechist were arrested with or prior to Perpetua. Perpetua was baptized before being taken to prison, and had a conversation with God. At the time of her baptism the Lord told her to pray for endurance during her trial. The prison she was put in was overcrowded and had little light. She was very afraid, but she was very upset to be separated from her baby. Soon, two deacons paid prison guards to put Perpetua and fellow martyr Felicity in a better part of the prison. Her mother and
I have learned a great deal about the Saints of the Catholic Church. Coming from a Protestant background, I knew very little about any of these individuals, nor did I ever really care about their missions or what they endured. This class has given me incredible insight to the lives of these astonishing individuals. For example, I learned that St. Anthony never took a bath. St. Francis of Assisi talked to animals and is believed to be the first person to experience the stigmata. St. Joseph of Cupertino is believed to have been able to fly.
...n their stories at first, but by the end they both praise them for their ability to act with the virtues that every Roman woman should strive to act with.
...ce, although both writings are interesting in their own ways, the most interesting aspect of both writings together is that they both have a similar plot and theme. It is rare that two
The two novels were both growth novels, to a certain extent, which depicted the changes of the heroines as they grew up. In order to illustrate the changes, the authors employed similar plots and writing skills.
When the Indian children in Quivi teased and bullied her for her religious beliefs, she was not scared or frightened by them, but instead felt very sorry for them and had a very strong desire to help the poor souls. One time she heard a woman screaming. Rather than running away from the terrible scream, she fearlessly ran out to help the poor woman and took her to her home to try to help her. When Saint Rose grew older, many people in her hometown took ill in a horrible and contagious disease. In spite of the great risk of getting this terrible illness herself, she set up a room called "the Infirmary," for the poor sick people and tried to help them to the best of her ability. When Saint Rose found out about how she would die, she was very brave and looked forward to her afterlife in heaven with our Lord. Saint Rose demonstrated her fearless and undying love for God in many ways.
Though canonization is infallible and irrevocable, it takes a long time and a lot of effort. So while every person who is canonized is a saint, not every holy person has been canonized. You have probably known many "saints" in your life, and you are called by God to be one yourself. (top of the page)
In the middle ages Friars, Monks and Prioresses had very specific roles in society. A Friar had to follow the mendicant order while living off of charity, preaching, educating, attending to the sick and absolving people from their sin. The Prioress was the head of a group of nuns. She would have had a low social standing as she belongs to the Theocracy. Her roles included growing vegetables and grain, producing wine and honey, providing medical care for the community and being in charge of the Priories. Lastly, the Monk’s role was to remain in his cloister and study religious texts; “And that a monk uncloistered is a mere/ Fish out of water, flapping on the pier…”(177-178). All of these people were supposed to model holiness; they were bound to the community and had no personal possessions. They are supposed to be selfless Christians dedicated to the Church.
One of the important aspects Christianity is sanctification. Christians desire to be sanctified by reading the Bible, praying, and obeying God’s Word. Then, what is the correct meaning of sanctification? The word “sanctification” contains a meaning of “becoming holy.” Moreover, it is given by God, who is holy, to His people to be set apart from worldliness.
Saint Francis of Assisi was a uniquely spiritual man who gave up a life of wealth and position to lead a life of poverty in accordance and service to God. Embracing a life according to the Gospels, Francis went on to establish a Monastic Order, known as the Franciscans. In the midst of the political climate within the religious community of Italy, Francis emerged a champion for the poor and sick, with humility and no regard for himself. Francis exhibited his love for God through his love and admiration for all of God's creation including nature. The principles of Saint Francis are as relevant today as they were in thirteenth century Italy; service and love to all of God’s creation.