To print, download this activity as a Word document.
Before you begin :
If your group is large, consider splitting up into teams, and giving each team a chart to fill out. You might also want to make this a friendly competition, to see which team can complete more of the chart.
You'll need:
- a good and somewhat recent dictionary of saints. The Book of Saints, edited by Dom Basil Watkins OSB and published by Continuum in 2002 is one example. But the library would have many under the heading Christian saints--Biography--Dictionary. If your group is large and you can provide multiple copies--even if they are different dictionaries--excellent!
- supplies with which to make a huge chart: a piece of large poster paper and markers, for example.
-
handouts for each one with the following quote on it:
"All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity; by this holiness as such a more human manner of living is promoted in this earthly society. In order that the faithful may reach this perfection, they must use their strength accordingly as they have received it, as a gift from Christ. They must follow in His footsteps and conform themselves to His image seeking the will of the Father in all things. They must devote themselves with all their being to the glory of God and the service of their neighbor. In this way, the holiness of the People of God will grow into an abundant harvest of good, as is admirably shown by the life of so many saints in Church history.
"The classes and duties of life are many, but holiness is one-that sanctity which is cultivated by all who are moved by the Spirit of God, and who obey the voice of the Father and worship God the Father in spirit and in truth. These people follow the poor Christ, the humble and cross-bearing Christ in order to be worthy of being sharers in His glory. Every person must walk unhesitatingly according to his own personal gifts and duties in the path of living faith, which arouses hope and works through charity." Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) par. 40-41 - a Bible with Revelation 7: 2-4 and Revelation 7: 9-14 marked.
- two readers chosen ahead of time who have practiced reading aloud either Revelation 7: 2-4 and Revelation 7: 9-14
Step-by-step
- Create a huge chart with these rows running down the side: North America; Central America; South America; Europe; Africa; Asia; Australia. Put these columns across the top: ordained and/or religious man; religious woman; married couple; married man; married woman; single man; single woman; adult; teen-ager; child.
- Brainstorm the names of saints (including those who have been declared blessed or venerable but not yet canonized) and even other holy persons who may not have yet been officially designated saints.
- Put each saint or holy person in the proper category. For example, St. Francis of Assisi would go under "religious man" on the line "Europe" whereas St. Elizabeth Ann Seton would go under "religious woman" on the line "North America." Explain that "religious" here means a person who has taken the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience--a sister, brother, or religious priest (different from a diocesan priest, though both are ordained).
- Use the saints dictionaries as needed. Look up the names on the cheat sheet (included below) if necessary.
- Try to fill in every category running across the top at least once. Try to find at least one saint or holy person from each geographical place, too. You may not be able to fill in every single box, though. For example, there has not been a teen-ager from North America officially named a saint yet. (We are waiting for you to fill that slot.)
- [If you split up into teams and did more than one chart, share the results of your charts with the large group.]
- Pass out the handout with the quote from the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. Read it aloud.
- Discuss: Is being holy only for priests and nuns? Only for people who lived long ago? Only for people from a certain place or time? Why or why not?
- Look again at the chart and circle the holes in the chart where you could not find or there were no saints. (North American teen-ager, for example.)
- Discuss: Why are these categories blank? Is it because there have been no holy people like this, or perhaps is it because the church does not know or has not yet investigated the holy people who would be listed here?
- Brainstorm names of people who have died who might fit in the categories that are empty.
- Have the two readers get ready. All take a moment of silence.
- The two readers then read their portion of the reading.
- All take a moment of silence.
- Have every one take home the handout with the quote on it and remember that he or she is called to holiness.
Cheat Sheet of Saints Names to Look Up
Kateri Tekawitha
Isidore of Seville
Maria of Seville
Maria Goretti
Charles Lwanga and companions
Lorenzo Ruiz
Francisco Martos
Jacinta Martos
Dominic Savio
Chong Hasong
Elizabeth of Hungary
Louis of France
Andrew Dung-Lac
Josephine Bakhita
