The Catholic Church honors a remarkable legacy of saints who have demonstrated profound faith and inspired countless works of art, literature, and pious devotion. But, as time passes, myths and misconceptions often obscure the true stories of these revered individuals.
Such misunderstandings can distort what it genuinely means to live as a saint and how their lives can touch our own. Here, we’ll look at 12 common myths surrounding the saints and provide a more nuanced understanding of these revered men and women.
Saints Are People Who Have Never Sin
When we think of saints, we usually imagine figures who lived without flaw, never giving in to temptation or failing morally. However, this image is far from what is real. Saints were people who openly admitted their sins and personal battles, reminding us that they weren’t superhuman – they were also ordinary humans just like us who, despite their flaws and mistakes, demonstrated extraordinary faith and perseverance in their spiritual journey.
One of the most familiar examples is the life of St. Peter. In Luke 22:60-62, we witnessed him denying Jesus three times before becoming a pillar of the early Church. Their humanity, complete with imperfections, makes their stories even more inspiring and relatable. Their stories remind us that anyone, regardless of their past mistakes, can choose a path of faith and transformation.
The Canonization of Saints is Purely Bureaucratic
This misconception that canonization is a bureaucratic process that involves just paperwork makes sainthood look like a fancy or exclusive title instead of truly recognizing the saint’s holiness. Canonization is a careful process that investigates a person’s life and their legacy. It includes a thorough examination of their actions, writings, and influence on others. This process, which usually takes decades or even centuries, involves gathering testimonies, verifying miracles with scientific inquiry, and careful theological reflection paired with spiritual discernment.
Saints Lead Boring Lives Devoid of Fun
Saints are often stereotyped as people who lived joyless lives focused solely on prayer and penance. One might think that they have shunned all forms of pleasure and social interaction in pursuit of holiness. However, historical records paint a very different picture of many saints’ lives.
Many saints were known for their wit, humor, and genuine enjoyment of life. An example is St. Phillip Neri, who is also known as the “Humorous Saint.” He was famous for his practical jokes and infectious laughter. Another is St. Teresa of Avila, who combined deep spirituality with a lively personality and sharp sense of humor, often bringing joy to her religious community. Their examples added depth to their faith, proving that holiness doesn’t require a rejection of joy.
Sainthood is Exclusive to Catholicism
It’s a common belief that sainthood belongs only to Catholicism and that only the Catholic Church recognizes and honors saints. While the Catholic Church does formally canonize saints, they are also revered in other Christian traditions. For example, the Orthodox Church has its own process for recognizing saints, and even some Protestant traditions honor historical Christian figures, though they may not canonize them in a formal way.
Across denominations, saints are respected as examples of faith and virtue, inspiring believers from all Christian backgrounds.
The Lives of Saints Are Only About Suffering and Sacrifice
While many saints did endure hardships, their lives were also filled with joy, creativity, and meaningful relationships. The myth that sainthood is purely about self-denial misses the fullness of their lives. Take, for example, the life of saints like Don Bosco, who was known for his playful spirit and innovative approaches to education. Or, St. Francis de Sales, who emphasized the importance of finding God in everyday life and ordinary activities. Their lives demonstrate that holiness includes moments of joy and the celebration of ordinary activities, not just trials and sacrifices.
All Saints Performed Miracles While They Were Alive
Miracles are often associated with sainthood, which is why many people believe that miraculous powers are a prerequisite for sainthood. In reality, many saints never performed any miracles while they were alive.
In the Catholic Church, canonization typically requires two confirmed miracles attributed to a saint’s intercession after their death, not necessarily while they were alive. Many saints are celebrated not for miraculous feats, but for their remarkable virtue, profound wisdom, or selfless service to others.
Saints Can Grant Miracles
People often get the wrong idea that saints can work miracles and answer prayers directly. However, this understanding does not match Catholic teaching about the role of saints. Catholic theology says that saints intercede and offer prayers on behalf of those who seek their help, much like asking a friend to pray for you. They can’t do miracles on their own, for that power comes from God alone. Instead, saints are described as compassionate advocates through whom divine grace can flow.
All Saints Were Martyrs Who Died for Their Faith
Martyrdom may be an important path to sainthood, but it has never been the only way. Many saints lived full lives and died natural deaths. Sainthood is not defined by how one dies but by how one lives.
Saints Don’t Deal with Social Issues
It’s often thought that saints were solely focused on spiritual matters and avoided being involved in worldly concerns or social issues. This misconception ignores the significant social justice work that many saints undertook to address pressing societal challenges.
Many saints were actively involved in addressing the social problems of their time. For example, St. Katharine Drexel dedicated her life to fighting for racial justice and educational access, while St. Vincent de Paul transformed how society cared for the poor and sick. These saints show us that a life of faith often inspires meaningful action toward improving lives and addressing social concerns.
Saints Are Only for Religious People and Have No Place in Secular Discussions
Some people believe that saints are relevant only within religious contexts and have no significance for secular society or non-religious discussions. However, the influence of saints reaches far beyond Church walls. They are celebrated for universal qualities such as kindness, courage, and integrity, making their influence meaningful in various cultural and social contexts. Figures like Saint Teresa of Calcutta have inspired many people worldwide, including non-believers, through her example of compassion, proving that the virtues of saints resonate with people of all backgrounds.
Ordinary People Today Cannot Achieve Saintly Qualities
There’s a notion that saintly virtues are unattainable for everyday people, but saints were often regular individuals who embraced their faith with courage and commitment in their daily lives. The qualities that define sainthood, such as compassion, courage, integrity, and dedication to others, are timeless and are independent of time or era.
Saints like St. Maximilian Kolbe remind us that extraordinary holiness is possible, even in modern times. Their lives show us that saintly virtues can be cultivated, no matter the setting or period.
All Saints Have Feast Days Celebrated Worldwide
Not all saints have globally recognized feast days. While each saint has an assigned day of remembrance, only a select few are honored universally on the Church’s liturgical calendar. Many saints are primarily celebrated in specific regions, countries, or religious communities where their influence was most impactful. Local customs and traditions often shape which saints are commemorated widely, meaning that the celebration of feast days varies across different parts of the world.
Understanding Saints as They Truly Were
Understanding saints in their true historical and human context makes their achievements even more remarkable. When we acknowledge their humanity, filled with struggles, doubts, and imperfections, their examples become even more inspiring and relevant for us today. After all, they are also people who persevered despite their challenges and limitations. As we deepen our understanding of sainthood, we should remember that saints were not meant to be placed on unreachable pedestals but rather to serve as reminders that greatness is within reach for anyone willing to live a life of faith and resilience.
More From Hope No Matter What
15 Misconceptions About Jesus Christ That the Bible Addresses
The 10 ‘Ites’ in the Bible: Who They Were and Why They Matter
19 Common Misconceptions About the Bible That Many Mistakenly Believe
15 Main Reasons Millennials Are Leaving the Church
Vidivir is a dedicated high school teacher and a loving mother of three. With over a decade of experience as a blogger and article writer, she has honed her craft in storytelling. As a devoted church lector and servant of God, she combines her passion for writing with her faith, aiming to inspire others through her words.