Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
I am a convert to the Catholic Church and want to know if any of the saints were married? ~ Mindy D.
Dear Mindy,
Pope John Paul II was concerned that not many married people have been canonized – officially recognised as saints. The early Church considered all martyrs to be saints; they gave their lives for Christ. Toward the end of the persecutions, this veneration was extended to those who led exemplary Christian lives. The list grew so rapidly than an official process for canonization was developed to control it.
The popes eventually gave the task of preparing causes for papal review to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. A cause follows a series of procedural reviews prior to beatification and canonization. The process assures the validity of sainthood but can be long and difficult.
The Vatican usually examines the lives of nuns, priests, and members of religious orders when reviewing causes for sainthood because these groups have the time and staff to promote the causes. Married people and lay people in general do not promote many causes for sainthood.
Several married persons have been canonized, however. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, and Saint Thomas Moore were married. Occasionally, the Church even recognises married couples as saints. These include Mary’s parents, Saints Joachim and Anne, and Saints Isidore and Maria.
Fr Vic Karls C.Ss.R.
How many saints were parents? Do you know how hard it is to be a parent and a saint. The frustration never ends sometimes! Somebody does something dumb every day. I have 7 children and not one day goes by that I have to bite my tongue. Some days I would like to say that kid is not mine! This seems to be a job where there are absolutely no days off. I am committed to a lifetime of parenting.
Hi William,
I guess if you see your children as gifts from God and these little ones are little saints in their own way, you may realise that you can be the greatest saint being their father in the eyes of your children.