The Saints' Notes Newsletter #3

[Shin]

 

The next issue is out!

Hopefully everyone will receive it shortly, and there will be little to no technical glitches. After a break it is out!

It is hard to judge but I believe it will be out more frequently, God willing, if need be of shorter length so as to be less work to send out regularly.

     

When we have a few more back issues, the newsletter should have its own little online archive off of the website.

   

[Patricia]

Thank you!

[Shin]

Thank you!

Oh no, thank you for reading it! 

I wish I had contributors and helpers to compile it.

I basically find a theme, and loosely follow it, gathering quotes and readings to illustrate it, and then (the hard part) check it for typos, errors, mistakes.

Since I could never, and would be too afraid to, commit to writing regular articles for it at this stage of my life, I rest comfortably in letting the saints speak for God. Which allows me to do this at all. 

That is in fact why this forum was a big hesitation for me.. The websites were initially and still are all mainly about letting the saints' speak for God, and keeping me out of it. What could be more that than quotes and readings and prayers? Most of the care that had to be taken was that what was used was not out of context, due to personal preference (horror), or some such.

Inevitably I am more present in having to write on these forums posts and suchlike. Disquieting. But the spiritual fruit from bringing people together here has outweighed my reservations, though I must still remind myself -- Let the saints shine through, and when you do instead, at least show the contrast. As long as there is the truth out in contrast to my failings and those of everyone, there is hope. Hope for progress! And the truth made available in all its beauty.

Someday, if I live so long as to be so blessed, when I am always ruining my food like St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, performing heroic penances like St. Simon Stylites, and loving God anything at all like St. Catherine of Genoa, perhaps I will feel more secure. But I don't think so.

This is the saints' discussion forum.. I want everyone here to look to the examples of the saints.. and work towards it! Work towards it! Become saints! Do not just discuss, which is wonderful.. try to become! Please! 

 

[Patricia]

I received it. That was a lot of precious work and I'm going to read it carefully, not in a hurry. I love your theme in this newletter. God bless your effort!

[martin]

A fine piece of work there Shin.
Haven't had time to go through it all yet but looking forward to doing so.
That St Anselm and Boso discourse is brillant. What a privilege having your questions answered by a saint.

[Shin]

It's good to hear it's coming through OK.

I pray Brigid gets it! Her email service always delays it for some reason! 

Step by step I've got to learn all the ins and outs of this newsletter business!

[Brigid]

I got it!

[Shin]

I got it!

Alright!!! 

[Patricia]

The excerpt from from 'The Life of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori' by a Redemptorist Father was very good reading.  I read about similar mortifications practiced by St. John Bosco.  Since the Saints  were secretive about it we hear about it from others who were close to them or observed their penances by chance.

[Shin]

The excerpt from from 'The Life of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori' by a Redemptorist Father was very good reading.  I read about similar mortifications practiced by St. John Bosco.  Since the Saints  were secretive about it we hear about it from others who were close to them or observed their penances by chance.

I'm going to have to read about St. John Bosco's mortifications again, I forget what they were!

It's amazing, here we are, people from all around the world, talking about the saints and their lives.

I really want to do a large concordance on the mortifications practiced by the saints one of these days, so inspiring!

[Patricia]

I'm going to have to read about St. John Bosco's mortifications again, I forget what they were!

I can't remember where I read about them. But if I have them in  a book I'll post it up here.  I remember being surprised reading about St. Bosco's mortifications, because he always come across to me as a Saint who was more like a mischievous though lovable kid at times.  His main intention was obviously saving his boys' souls.
The same with St.Alphonsus  Liguori.  He came across to me as an erudite saint, lost in his books and writing, but look at his mortifications for the flock!  All those hidden penances and mortifications. I've read the same about St. Gemma Galgani, who would toy with her food to avoid eating too much.