Jesus is the Word made flesh. Many times words are difficult to understand and so translations of the word are necessary. Pope Benedict XVI tells us that the Saints are authentic “translations” of the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ. Saint Paul urges the Christian to be an imitator of Christ, a translation of Christ to each other and to the world.

“Dear friends, it is clear that configuration to Christ is the precondition and the basis for all renewal. But perhaps at times the figure of Jesus Christ seems too lofty and too great for us to dare to measure ourselves by him. The Lord knows this. So he has provided “translations” on a scale that is more accessible and closer to us. For this same reason, Saint Paul did not hesitate to say to his communities: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. For his disciples, he was a “translation” of Christ’s manner of life that they could see and identify with. Ever since Paul’s time, history has furnished a constant f low of other such “translations” of Jesus’ way into historical figures. We priests can call to mind a great throng of holy  priests who have gone before us and shown us the way: from Polycarp of Smyrna and Ignatius of Antioch, from the great pastors Ambrose, Augustine and Gregory the Great, through to Ignatius of Loyola, Charles Borromeo, John Mary Vianney and the priest-martyrs of the 20th century, and finally Pope John Paul II, who gave us an example, through his activity and his suffering, of configuration to Christ as “gift and mystery”. The saints show us how renewal works and how we can place ourselves
at its service. And they help us realize that God is not concerned so much with great numbers and with outward successes, but achieves his victories under the humble sign of the mustard seed.”[i]
 
The American Saints give the American faithful an authentic translation of Jesus, a translation that is both unique to America and the American spirit. As Americans, we walk the same ground, serve in the same institutions, are obedient to the same laws, and enjoy the same freedoms as the American Saints.

ACTIVITY – AMERCIAN SAINTS: IMITATORS OF CHRIST
How are the American Saints imitators of Christ in regards to today’s Gospel? This packet includes short biographies, videos, and spiritual readings in honor of the American Saints. Study either the individual Saints or the whole group of American Heroes and discuss how they particularly imitated Christ in the following ways. Two examples have been given under each heading.

What are the amazing grace filled words and actions of the American Saints?
And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth

Mother Cabrini in her work of founding schools, hospitals and charitable works of every kind, would cross the ocean thirty times, bringing bands of young Italian Sisters to North and South America. This work would have her travel all across American, from New York City to Seattle, from New Orleans to Chicago.

Blessed Junipero Serra, who is called the Apostle to California, is known for founding the great mission of San Juan Capistrano, in California as well as 21 missions on the West Coast from San Diego to San Francisco. Anywhere we see a Saint’s name on the West Coast, it is likely that Blessed Junipero Serra was there.

What were the persecutions and hardships faced by the American Saints?
They rose up, drove him out of the town


Mother Théodore Guérin encountered prejudice against Catholics and, especially, against Catholic women religious; betrayals; misunderstandings; the separation of the Congregation in Indiana from the one in Ruillé; a devastating fire that destroyed an entire harvest leaving the sisters destitute and hungry, and frequent life-threatening illnesses. Still she persevered, desiring only that “In all and everywhere may the will of God be done.”

St. Isacc Jogues and his brother Jesuit missionaries were whipped, bitten, and tormented in the most barbarous ways imaginable. St. Isaac Jogues became a living martyr, watching his friends die around him and being constantly threatened by death himself.

How in many cases were the American Saints driven out of their native lands? How were the American Saints and or their mission not accepted?
Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place

When priests came to the village, Saint Kateri was drawn by their teachings, and converted at the age of 19, heedless of the anger of her relatives. She was disowned and persecuted by her own people. Because she refused to work on Sundays, she was denied meals on that day. The persecution by her own native people led to her eventually flee so that she could practice her faith in freedom.

When Venerable Pierre Toussaint was in his early twenties, his master brought him to the United States with several other slaves, to avoid civil disturbance in Haiti. He was driven out of his native land of Haiti due to civil unrest, which providential brought him to New York City where God would use his life to bless many.

Of the American Saints, how many were born in America? Only four of the American Saints were born on American soil, the rest freely left their native land or were driven away from their native land. Whether they were driven away or left of their own free will, these heroes have forever shaped our land with their generous gift of self. Most of those who left their native land would knowingly never return to family, friends and a culture they called their own, but they would shape an American Catholic Culture that survives to this day.

Implementation ideas:

1. Show a 3-5 minute video of each of the American Heroes. This could take 45-70 minutes. Have the group look for the three connections to Christ that described above and write those down so there can be sharing later. At the end of the videos, have each person in the group vote for their American Hero. Tally the vote and declare the winner.

2. Break into small groups assigning one or a few American Heroes to each group. The groups can either watch the videos. If there are enough smart phones they could watch videos on the smart phones. The group can also read the bios. Each group should be able see the three connections to Christ that are described above. Each group should also be able to give a summary of their Saint. The small groups could then gather back in the large group and give a presentation.

3. In a school setting, where more time is available. American Heroes could be assigned to individuals or small groups. The individual or groups could take time to thoroughly research their Saint, Blessed, or Venerable. After the research, have an assembly or presentation in which individuals or groups will present and convince the audience that “their” American Hero is the best. This can be modeled after the TV show “American Idol”. Individuals or groups will need to be ready to field questions in order to convince the audience or judges that they indeed should be the true “American Idol”.


4. The ultimate way to honor and learn about these American Heroes is to make an American Saint Pilgrimage to worship, prayer, study, and serve where these Saints worshiped, prayed, studied, and served. A pilgrimage to New York City and Philadelphia alone would expose you and your group to many of the Saints. Please also remember there are many Servants of God and others that did not make it in this packet, Fr. Emil Kaupan (Kansas), Fr. Juan Padilla (New Mexico, Texas, Kansas), Fr. Solanus Casey (Northeast and Midwest), and Dorothy Day (New York) are just a few.

If you have other ideas, please share them in the “Read and Leave Comments” section on the Packet Main Page.

[i] Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI, Chrism Mass, Holy Thursday, 2012
 
Information in this packet has been taken from usccb.org and suggested links from their site.
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/saints-for-the-year-of-faith.cfm