Saints. Anyone can become one, or so we are told. But lately I’ve been thinking that motherhood and sainthood seem to have conflicting obligations. For mothers are created to devote themselves to their children, while saints are called to devote themselves completely to God. Is it possible to manage both? I mean women are natural born multitaskers but still it seems like an unrealistic goal. So, let’s examine some of the elite group that is mom saints.
- St. Anne (1st century BC)
Married to St. Joachim. Prayed for years to become a mother. One day while praying an angel appeared and told her she would have a child.
Claim to fame: Mother of Mary (who was born without sin) Grandmother to Jesus.
2. The Virgin Mary (First Century)
Needs no introduction.
3. St. Perpetua (180 approx.)
22-year-old noble lady of Carthage with baby son. Arrested under anti-Christian edict of 202. When she refused to sacrifice to the gods she was sentenced death at the public games. Mauled by beasts in amphitheater before being beheaded in 203.
Claim to Fame: Nursed her baby every day in prison (without herself eating) until executed.
4. St. Felicity (180 approx.)
A pregnant married slave. Imprisoned and sentenced to death with St. Perpetua.
Claim to Fame: Gave birth in prison and was then executed with St. Perpetua.
5. St. Monica (333)
Married to a pagan, Patricious, known for his horrible temper. Her great patience influenced him to become Christian. Her greatest dream was that her son would return to God.
Claim to Fame: Mother to St. Augustine
6. St. Rita (1381)
She begged her parents for a convent life but she was given an arranged marriage. Her husband had violent temper and similarly so did their children. Eventually, he husband was stabbed to death by an enemy. Shortly after her 2 sons died of disease and St Rita was left alone. She filled life with prayers, fasting, penances, and good deeds before becoming an Augustinian nun.
Claim to Fame: Spent life praying for her husband’s killers.
7. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774)
Born into a prominent New York family, Elizabeth was a faithful Episcopalian. She raised five children with her husband William. Both Elizabeth and William suffered long illnesses. After William died Elizabeth converted to Catholicism and established first Catholic school in Baltimore in 1808. A year later established her religious community.
Claim to Fame- First American born saint.
I think it’s safe to say that the role of mother and grandmother to Jesus are titles that the rest of cannot obtain. So, if as moms, we strive to become saints, what is expected of us? What would the rubric look like? Don’t worry, the teacher in me already made one. See Below.
Ok so this was meant to be funny, but you know what they say about humor, it’s always partly true. Are joining the convent and being martyred really the only ways moms can achieve sainthood? Is that true? Or, is it like everything else mom’s do, and there are really hundreds of mom saints not being recognized. For isn’t that the true mark of motherhood? Giving and not needing anything in return.
So, we talked about 7 mom saints today, but I know there are more out there. Who deserve recognition but don’t ask for it. Because just like everything else with our faith, we don’t need to see it to believe it.