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Laughing Elf
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| Joined: | Sat Feb 16th, 2008 |
| Location: | Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 47 |
| First Name: | Rod | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Methodist, PCA, agnostic, Buddhist, Episcopalian, Methodist |
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Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 03:06 am |
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I've heard that picking a patron saint is part of the RCIA process. If it is part of the process can some one help me understand how that fits in. If it is not part of the RCIA process, per se, can some one help me understand the idea behind choosing a patron saint, and the meaning/blessings behind it.
Thanks!
Rod
____________________
"Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight."
Tolkien, LOTR I
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Intercessor
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| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 854 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 05:57 am |
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[size=Rod, here are three past threads that should prove helpful. In addition to the comments made, Rick, David, and Dave provide some great links on patron saints.
click thread 1
click thread 2
click thread 3
The process of choosing a patron saint nudges one toward discovering the lives of the saints. As we study their lives, we learn what to pursue, what to avoid, what to expect, how to respond to life's trials. The saints are our teachers, our role models, our intercessors. If you are using The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults in your RCIA class, you have probably noticed that every chapter begins with the life of a saint.
I chose St. Paul because I had spent my adult years teaching his letters in Sunday School classes. His letters helped form me, and I felt I knew him. My catechist, however, urged me to select Edith Stein, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, because of my interest in philosophy and because, like her, I had studied on my own and then presented myself for entrance into the Catholic faith only to discover that one must be patient and wait until Mother Church issues an invitation. 
When I pray now, I regularly ask for the intercession of the Blessed Mother, St. Paul, and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, and add St. Justin Martyr (confirmed on his feast day), and two more Carmelites, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. The day my daughter-in-law was in difficult labor, I sought the intercession of St. Joseph. I usually begin my time in Adoration with a prayer to the Blessed Mother. Then I speak to the other members of my team of intercessors.
I may be a bit odd in regularly addressing so many saints. However, I find comfort in having these six persons before the throne of God on my behalf. I suspect I will be adding St. Augustine to my team since his treatise, "The Good of Widowhood," has become very important in my journey. St. John Chrysostom is also likely to be added because of the blessings I've found in his commentary on New Testament writings.
Recently I have struggled with some things that I really did not want to mention to anyone beyond my spiritual director/confessor. Having these friends in the Church Triumphant to talk to kept me from feeling so alone. I do worry a bit, now and then, that they might wish I'd leave them alone for a while.
Click below for wonderful addition to your personal library.
Click Here
Becky
NOTE: Edited to shorten link
]Last edited on Mon Feb 18th, 2008 11:44 am by
____________________
"If our charity is arrested by the difficulties encountered in dealing with our neighbor, . . . our relations with our brethren are not regulated by our love of God, but by our love of self." Divine Intimacy p. 781, Fr. Gabriel, O.C.D.
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4977 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 11:49 am |
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Going back to Abram/Abraham and his wife Sarai/Sarah, a new name has been a sign of a new role. We accept new names as part of our confirmation as adults in the faith. We become "soldiers for Christ". The name chosen should be that of a person we wish to emulate, or can identify with, or even that of a virtue we espouse.
We can choose the name of any saint, or any other Christian person. It can be of a changed gender if we wish (Terrance for Theresa, Joan for John) or nationality (Eric for Richard, Etienne for Stephen).
Becky has already given you references to previous threads that discuss patron saints in greater detail, but I just wanted to give you a brief summary to get you started.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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BodRod
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 720 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 02:28 pm |
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Intercessor wrote: I chose St. Paul because I had spent my adult years teaching his letters in Sunday School classes. His letters helped form me, and I felt I knew him.
I also chose St. Paul but for different a reason. They way I see him, he started down the wrong road in life and had to make a 180 degree change in direction. So did I. So, I figured he would understand my problems and delemas and know how to help me. My problem now is to remember to ask for help. I am still struggling with the concept of letting God run the world which would give me more time to work on my own life.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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CajunRick
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| Posts: | 4977 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 04:54 pm |
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BodRod wrote: My problem now is to remember to ask for help. I am still struggling with the concept of letting God run the world which would give me more time to work on my own life.
I attended a talk once at a retreat titled, "The Four Most Important Words." He spoke for half an hour about how his realization of the four words allowed him to finally give himself over to God, stop worrying about everything on the news, etc. The four words are, "I am not God."
I'm still working on it.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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BodRod
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 720 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 07:01 pm |
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That is a good one, Rick. I think that some of us, sometimes start "believing our own press" and the next thing we realize is that we could straighten the world out and then run it!!! 
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Feb 18th, 2008 09:43 pm |
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BodRod wrote: That is a good one, Rick. I think that some of us, sometimes start "believing our own press" and the next thing we realize is that we could straighten the world out and then run it!!!
Cliff, I have no doubt I could straighten out the world and then run it. The problem is the world is round, not straight, so I would no doubt run it in the wrong direction! 
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Laughing Elf
Member
| Joined: | Sat Feb 16th, 2008 |
| Location: | Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 47 |
| First Name: | Rod | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Methodist, PCA, agnostic, Buddhist, Episcopalian, Methodist |
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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 01:34 am |
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Intercessor wrote:
The process of choosing a patron saint nudges one toward discovering the lives of the saints. As we study their lives, we learn what to pursue, what to avoid, what to expect, how to respond to life's trials. The saints are our teachers, our role models, our intercessors. If you are using The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults in your RCIA class, you have probably noticed that every chapter begins with the life of a saint.
Many thanks to you and the others who have contributed so much. We really do stand on the shoulders of those who've gone before us.
First let me clear up what may appear as a miscommunication of mine. I'm not currently in an RCIA class. I may have broken the rules by posting in this Thread, but was trying to ask questions about some things that may appear in the RCIA process. Thanks for listing the (a) book title. Looking forward to seeing that one some day.
Having a Saint as a friend ( how can one's mentor and intercessor not be a friend? ) is such a mind blowing concept that I'm still integrating the ramifications. Wow! ((( this is a conceptual shock to a life long protestant ))) 
But, what a wonderful thing indeed. The life of the Church continues flowing in veins of time and space. Those parameters become compressed ( time and space ) as we link our lives with those who not only preceeded us, but stand by us , who pray for us, today.
thanks,
Rod
____________________
"Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight."
Tolkien, LOTR I
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 01:55 am |
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Laughing Elf wrote: Having a Saint as a friend ( how can one's mentor and intercessor not be a friend? ) is such a mind blowing concept that I'm still integrating the ramifications. Wow! ((( this is a conceptual shock to a life long protestant )))
You know, I had someone in my office today complaining because I had a picture of St. Agatha (patron saint of breast cancer victims) on my calendar, but he would have had no problem if the picture had been of George Washington.
St. Agatha had her breasts cut off and was then killed because she refused to surrender her virginity. Why should I be restricted from having the picture of a faith hero on my wall? And yet I was. (Her feast was February 5th, which is why she was featured on the calendar this month.)
Every one of the saints has a heroic story, even those who lived a long life and died a natural death. Even those saints who were kings and queens, and who lived comfortably, lived as heroic witnesses. They are our examples and our friends.
Thank God!
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Cliff
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| Joined: | Fri Feb 8th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised SDA, Generic Christian, Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 02:02 am |
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CajunRick wrote:
You know, I had someone in my office today complaining because I had a picture of St. Agatha (patron saint of breast cancer victims) on my calendar, but he would have had no problem if the picture had been of George Washington.
He probably would not have complained if you had a pic of Britney Spears or Elvis either!
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 854 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Feb 19th, 2008 02:23 am |
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Laughing Elf wrote:
I may have broken the rules by posting in this Thread, but was trying to ask questions about some things that may appear in the RCIA process.
Sometimes one can't ask a question without touching on material in more than one forum. Here are some past RCIA threads that may interest you.
Click here for RCIA threads.
Before you know it you will be the one sharing information with new members.
Becky
____________________
"If our charity is arrested by the difficulties encountered in dealing with our neighbor, . . . our relations with our brethren are not regulated by our love of God, but by our love of self." Divine Intimacy p. 781, Fr. Gabriel, O.C.D.
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