Joan Carroll Cruz - Saintly Women of Modern Times

T he Catholic Church has been graced with a bountiful array of saints, but, as we know, the greater majority are nuns and priests. By comparison, we have only a small fraction of lay men and women who were declared by the Church as having merited the honors of the altar. Since we are encouraged to imitate the virtues of the saints, wouldnt it seem more appropriate if we had models of holiness who lived outside the cloister in the secular worldsaints who endured the struggles and difficulties of everyday life as we encounter in secular surroundings? As St. Teresa of vila has written, We need to cultivate and think upon, and seek the companionship of those saints who, though living on earth like ourselves, have accomplished such great deeds for God.

In my book Secular Saints, examples were given of almost two hundred fifty lay men and women who, if not already canonized, were on their way to canonization. They came from the early days of the Church, through the ages, to the present day. In this volume, we have only twentieth-century saints, many of whom drove cars and used telephones. Some even had televisions as well as many other modern conveniences. All lived and died in the last century, with the exception of Pauline Jaricot.

It is hoped that the reader will examine the indexes that give the occupations and the difficulties of life and health that were encountered by these holy women. By making use of the indexes, readers can find a saint to whom they can relatesaints who had a similar occupation, or those who experienced the same difficulties or illnesses as readers might now be enduring.

We have here many biographies of laywomen representing many countries. They are from such diverse occupations as a rag collector, a hair dresser, and an embroidery teacher, among many other professions.

An explanation about the various titles follows.

The sole purpose in writing this book was to demonstrate, to people in every walk of life, the virtues practiced, and the cares and sufferings endured by laywomen who are now on their way to canonization. Those who have difficulties, and those who are suffering, have examples here of holy people who have had the same struggles and difficulties. It was because of these hardships, endured with prayer and confidence in God, that they attained holiness.

How did they do it? Here, then, are their secrets.

JOAN CARROLL CRUZ

Servant of God: After five years have elapsed since death, and after the bishop of the diocese officially opens the cause of beatification, the candidate may be called a Servant of God.

Venerable: After the Congregation for the Causes of Saints receives the case, examines it and determines that it has merit, and after a number of preliminary steps have been taken, a Decree super Virtutibus is issued, which gives the Servant of God the title of Venerable.

Blessed: Once a miracle, worked through the intercession of the Venerable, has been canonically investigated and approved, this, together with the Decree of Heroic Virtues, is passed to the Holy Father, who decides on beatification. After the ceremony of beatification has been held, the Venerable is now given the title of Blessed.

Saint: For canonization, another miracle performed after the beatification ceremony is required. After the miracle has been canonically investigated and approved, the pope may perform a canonization ceremony, after which the Blessed is now given the title of Saint.

NOTE: Those without a title are holy persons whose cases are still on the diocesan level, but whose causes are expected to be officially opened in the near future.