Saint Reports

Due Date: Monday, January 28, 2008

It is important that your teen learn as much as they can about their chosen patron saint. Your candidate is, after all, asking this saint to be a mentor and an advocate for them for the rest of their lives. A sample copy of a saint report is provided in this packet.

The report should include the following information:
1. A short biography and or history of the saint i.e., when and where he/she lived, and what he/she did to become a saint.
2. Why the teen chose this saint for Confirmation.
3. List at least 3 reasons why they find the saint’s life interesting or inspiring.

We will cover the particulars regarding the saint reports during the 8th grade session on September 24, 2007.

Your teen will be given handouts in class regarding the saint reports. The Saint reports must be typed, using a 12 point font, and should be one page in length. We do have some resources available in the Office of Youth Ministry. In this packet there is a sample saint report and a list of available Internet resources they may use to assist them in their research or check your local library. If your teen needs any help in locating resources, just let us know and we will be happy to help!


SAINT WEB SITES:
www.catholic.org
click the saints link in the top left corner

www.cin.org
scroll down looking in the blue bar at left to click the saints link

www.catholic-forum.com
look in the red bar at left to click the patron saints index link

http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/saints.htm

www.catholic-pages.com
click truth link; then scroll down to click saint link
and don’t miss the jokes through the smile link

www.domestic-church.com
look center right in the yellow bar at top to click the saints link
Susan Smith
P.U.L.S.E.
Class:
Saint Report


AN EXAMPLE OF A SAINT REPORT:

Joan of Arc
Patron Saint of Members of the Military
Feast Day-May 30

I have chosen Saint Joan of Arc as my Confirmation name because I believe she is a wonderful role model for young women. My grandmother’s name is Joan and since she is my sponsor I thought it was a good name for me to choose. My dad is also in the Navy and she is the patron saint of the Members of the Military.

Joan of Arc was born on January 6, 1412 in Domremy, France. She was just an ordinary girl. She could not read nor write. She had to help with the household chores, take care of all the animals in the fields, helped bring in the harvest and she was ‘very good with a needle.’

She heard voices when she was 13 years old that called her to save France from the English during the 100 Years War. She also had visions and she believed they were of St. Michael, St. Margaret and St. Catherine of Alexandria. France was at war with England and they were losing the war. The English occupied much of France. She was given troops to command. She wore armor and carried a white banner that represented God blessing the French royal emblem. She stood up to all the people who doubted her and she was very successful in leading her troops to victory.

She was captured by some soldiers and was sold to the English allies. She was charged with heresy and sorcery. After 14 months she was condemned to death. She was burned at the stake. As she was dying she asked an English soldier to hold up a cross-made out of two-pieces of wood so she could see it and she kept repeating the name of Jesus. The only thing that remained untouched by the fire was her heart. Her ashes were thrown into the River Seine in case people came to worship her at her grave and treat her as a saint.

The reason I think Joan of Arc is a good patron saint for me is that I want to join the Navy after I finish college. I want to become a nurse and work on a hospital ship taking care of all of the sick and injured sailors and soldiers. I think they are all very brave and to leave their families and defend our country. I miss my dad very much when he is away on duty but he always tells us we need to be brave for him so that he can be brave when he does his job.
I also think she is good because even though she couldn’t read or write, she didn’t let that get in her way of doing what God called her to do. Sometimes I have a hard time with my schoolwork and I sometimes thought that maybe I couldn’t become a nurse because of this. But Joan of Arc did really great things even though she couldn’t read and people made fun of her. She believed in herself and all the gifts the God gave her and she did really great things. My grandma always calls me “her little cookie” because she says I always give even the bad things in life a good taste. I think it is important to make sick people feel better and not just by using medicine but by being nice to them and to talk to them and stuff.