Terminalcoffee discussion

Tomorrow is All Saints Day. Question...do you know anyone you would consider saintly, however you choose to define that term? Apparently, by the way, in Catholicism you have to perform miracles for sainthood consideration. Am I right on that? Is sainthood possible, or do we elevate people's images to sainthood? What do you think should be the definition of sainthood?

Yes, I'm full of questions this evening. Knock yourself out!

I just did a quick search on Mother Teresa because I know there has been much talk of her becoming a saint, and it does appear that you have to have performed miracles in order to become a saint. http://www.americancatholic.org/Featu...

The Buddhist equivalent of saint would be, I guess, the bodhisattva: someone who wishes for enlightenment for themselves and others, much like a saint would be someone like Mother Teresa, who tries to help as many people as they can both physically and spiritually.

As far as people I know who I would consider to be a "saint" or a "bodhisattva", I am always reminded of my maternal grandfather. To be a bodhisattva, you have to gain the 6 perfections, and the first one is generosity (although they don't have to be achieved in order). My grandfather would give you the shirt off his back, and I mean that literally-- I think he actually did do that once. My mother remembers there always being someone on the couch during holidays who was new to the area or couldn't go home to their family. Shortly before his death, he got into the habit of always having CremeSavers with him, and he would always give people them. And fruits, and other food-- probably because he was either the eldest/second eldest of his siblings (12 in all, if I remember correctly) and so he never wanted to see anyone go hungry. We would always go home with food when we visited, and if we refused, he'd give the food to our mother. :P

I have a lot of heroes, a lot of people I'd like to be more like, but for some reason I'm hesitant to give them the title of "saint" or "bodhisattva." It takes something extra, I think-- perhaps that's where the miracles come into play in Catholicism.

the way i understand it everyone, i have a hard time distinguishing if its just Christians or anyone under the grace of God are simultaneously sinners and saints, basically just be aware of the human condition, as people we cant help but sin, all of us.... =) so that's my opinion =D 10/31 was also Reformation Day..

Yes, I know a saint. Me. It's a miracle my son is still alive!

Lol Lori!

I know a ton of saints. To clarify... they're all Latter Day Saints.

And since this is the celebrate category, I'll mention that the young LDS lady (ninth grade) who was giving my son piano lessons has recently won the youth division of "Dixie's Got Talent."

She, of course, plays piano.