Catholic Saints: What is a Saint? How Does One Become a Saint?
The label saint is used in a special sense in the Roman Catholic Church for those people believed to have entered God's presence in heaven and thus can provide special benefits to humanity when they are asked to do so through prayers directed at them. Technically, they share in the Beatific Vision, which is a face-to-face experience of the presence of God. The nature of the holiness of saints varies, and it is argued that there are more saints than on the official, canonical list.
Saint Valentine: Christian Martyr & Christian Basis for Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day, a popular secular and commercial holiday, was originally a Christian feast day celebrating the martyrdom of a Christian saint named Valentine. Unfortunately, his life has been largely lost to history and it's no longer clear precisely what he did. In fact, it's not clear who exactly he was because there were at least three different Valentines in the early Christian church, any or all of whom could have been the original object of Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day, a popular secular and commercial holiday, was originally a Christian feast day celebrating the martyrdom of a Christian saint named Valentine. Unfortunately, his life has been largely lost to history and it's no longer clear precisely what he did. In fact, it's not clear who exactly he was because there were at least three different Valentines in the early Christian church, any or all of whom could have been the original object of Valentine's Day
Saints & Sainthood: Origin and Nature of Saints in Christianity
The label saint is given to any person who is regarded as being 'holy.' Early in the history of the Christian Church, the term saint was applied only to those who were martyrs to the Christian faith. When a martyr died, the body would be placed in a special tomb which believers could continue to visit in the hopes of obtaining some blessing. Quite often groups of Christians would gather at the tomb of a martyr to celebrate the Eucharist.
The label saint is given to any person who is regarded as being 'holy.' Early in the history of the Christian Church, the term saint was applied only to those who were martyrs to the Christian faith. When a martyr died, the body would be placed in a special tomb which believers could continue to visit in the hopes of obtaining some blessing. Quite often groups of Christians would gather at the tomb of a martyr to celebrate the Eucharist.
Saint Patrick: Profile and Biography of Saint Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland
Bishop and apostle to Ireland, Patrick came from a highly religious family in Britain (his father was a deacon, his grandfather a priest) who spent time as a slave among pagan raiders. After his ordination, he dedicated himself to evangelize northern Ireland from Armagh, where he may have run a school. He is sometimes portrayed as a monk, but while he advocated monasticism he never became a monk himself. St. Patrick is given the credit for essentially converting all of Ireland to Christianity.
Bishop and apostle to Ireland, Patrick came from a highly religious family in Britain (his father was a deacon, his grandfather a priest) who spent time as a slave among pagan raiders. After his ordination, he dedicated himself to evangelize northern Ireland from Armagh, where he may have run a school. He is sometimes portrayed as a monk, but while he advocated monasticism he never became a monk himself. St. Patrick is given the credit for essentially converting all of Ireland to Christianity.
Saint Agnes of Rome: Profile and Biography of Catholic Saint Agnes of Rome
We have no reliable information about the birth, life, or death of Agnes. Despite this, she is one of Christianity's most popular saints. Christian legend has it that Agnes was a member of Roman noble family and raised to be a Christian. She became a martyr at the age of 12 or 13 during the persecution of Christians under the reign of emperor Diocletian because she would not give up her virginity.
We have no reliable information about the birth, life, or death of Agnes. Despite this, she is one of Christianity's most popular saints. Christian legend has it that Agnes was a member of Roman noble family and raised to be a Christian. She became a martyr at the age of 12 or 13 during the persecution of Christians under the reign of emperor Diocletian because she would not give up her virginity.