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My Best Teachers Were Saints
I just started reading a new book called My Best Teachers Were Saints and was just thinking how true that really is in my life as well. When I was a kid, we had a bunch of little story books about Jesus’ life and the life of the saints. We even had comic books which were actually just as compelling if not more than my Star Wars and Wonder Woman comic books. One in particular is etched in my mind. I used to have a comic book about Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Maximilian was a Catholic priest who was considered a threat by the Nazis, arrested and sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz where he died. What is amazing about this man is that he volunteered to take another man’s place who was condemned to die at the camp. As a kid, I read his story over and over again and to this day I can still see the cartoon pictures in my mind and feel the awe I felt as a kid. For me, Maximilian Kolbe is one of those saints who was one of my best teachers.
What I like about this book, My Best Teachers Were Saints, is that the author Susan Swetnam sees the saints as persons who not only inspire us but help us in concrete ways. The book is focused in particular on bringing to bear the wisdom of the saints on the challenges of being an educator. “Swetnam focuses on fifty-two saints–many of them teachers–who faced challenges similar to those that nearly all educators face today, from indifferent students and recalcitrant colleagues to their own limitations and feelings of isolation.” Though I’m currently not teaching, I find this book delightful and it makes me want to spend some time with the saints who are my best teachers and see what they have to say to me today. Another great saints book is Jim Martin’s My Life with the Saints which I previously wrote about here.
Which saints have been your best teachers?
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{ 11 comments }
St. Francis of Assissi
A few years ago, I became interested in the life of nuns. I bought a book about St.Therese of Lisieux, almost as an afterthought. I was so taken by her, that I read that book two more times, and another book about her by a different author. Her intense love of God and her simple way, inspired me. She taught me the importance of living for God with everything you had. She taught me that you don’t need to do huge things to please God, that if you do things with God in your heart, no matter how small these things may seem, they are pleasing to God. Thank you for your thought provoking post. God Bless!
I personally enjoy Foxes Book of Martyrs. Very amazing, those who were willing to pay the ultimate price for Christ. If the time ever comes I hope I could pay that price.
My favorite saint is St. Teresa of Avila. She is so real to me, i.e., her life, struggles, personality, etc. I would have loved to have known her personally.
I only had a few sisters as CCD teachers growing up as I attended public grammar school. I don’t remember anything particularly good or bad about them to tell you the truth. But I have a really cute story about a Salesian sister/camp counsellor at my daughter’s summer camp.
The Salesian summer camp that my daughter attends is in the northern part of our state where there are many bears. Although the camp itself is fairly self-contained, they do see a few of these critters now and then. One day, while the kids were swimming, a bear appeared in the distance. The sisters brought the kids inside for a short while until the bear disappeared. But before they did that, one of the sisters proclaimed that the kids needn’t be afraid because, as part of her vows, she had to protect the kids from the bears. This meant, so she said, if a bear was running after a child, the sister would have to throw herself in front of that bear to save the child’s life. A bit of melodrama to be sure. But it definitely impressed the heck out of my daughter. It made her feel very safe.
Cheers!
Wow. Hildegard of Bingen and Isidore of Seville. Hildegard because she’s a woman of faith who didn’t compromise her intellectual pursuits, and she was a Renaissance woman before the Renaissance. She’s also one of the first composers to actually sign her work. A theologian, poet, composer, scientist, philosopher inspires me. (I took her name for my confirmation.)
Isidore of Seville because he’s the patron saint of computer geeks. Also, his early story had a lot of hardship from family members and he had difficulty in learning…I sure looked up to him when I was taking computer music classes, ironically a subject I had a lot of trouble with.
Not a saint yet, but I also admire Oscar Romero.
Nice article in the Trib, Jules! By the way, I addressed your e-mail in my post today and linked to your blog…gotta keep plugging the blogging nun! -joe
Teresa of Avila… I take comfort in what she said about times of spiritual drought and her ideas about the different levels of spirituality. Her writings help me remember that we are not suppose to be anywhere but where we are because we have to have the Lessons learned where we are before we can become closer to the Divine.
and I don’t know if she is a saint still (or ever was), but Catherine of Sienna. Partly because of her ‘brazen’ manner of telling ‘more important’ men the truth. And (believe it or not) her episode with the woman who had breast cancer and her reaction to being overwhelmed by the smell. I have has several times lately where a loved one’s medical condition (fortunately, not cancerous) put me in the place of dealing with bodily fluids that really just gross me out. Remembering her helps me curb my reactions and do what needs to be done because that is what Love is. Her courage in following her beliefs gives me strength when I don’t think I have any more.
Hildegaard’s music touches the Divine in all of us. I have not read any of her writings yet, but she is first on my list when I get done with my degree. But her music makes my tired and mournful soul float.
and I have to mention Joan of Arc… for the simple fact was she was right. Historians just can’t argue it away. She was right. It just makes my heart warm.
Blessings!
My favorite Saint is a little old lady from my neighborhood back in Mexico. She fed the whole neighborhood, walked to people’s homes when they were sick, took care of their children, made soup and cleaned their homes, talk to the dying about God. When my grandmother died, she became my grandmother, french-braided my hair the way grandma used to,rocked me to sleep and spanked me when I was being a brat. She extended the Incarnation to me and to many people.
My favorite saint is Joan of Arc. That was one woman who had courage. She stood up for what she believed. The thought of being burned at the stake for your beliefs takes a lot of faith.
Thanks
I found you thru the Trib
I am a teacher and I have worked hard and I always hoped my kids felt I did something for them. I heard you like to have a pint at Chicago Joe’s. If I can I would like to buy you one and say thanks in person
Thanks for all your wonderful comments. Hmmm … I will have to check with my nuns to see if throwing myself at a bear is part of my religious commitment! Definite melodrama but seriously, Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said that there’s no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend (John 15:13)
I’m a bit Teresa of Avila fan too. She is a patron of our congregation and someone I turn to often. On my bookshelf is an icon of Teresa in which she holds a scroll upon which is written, “God withholds himself from no one who perseveres.”
And Taelec, I have great admiration for all teachers. Having taught for a few semesters, I know what a challenge it is to get students’ attention let a lone impart some wisdom and knowledge.