Fr. Saunders is pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Potomac Falls and a professor of catechetics and theology at Notre Dame Graduate School in Alexandria. If you enjoy reading Fr. Saunders's work, his new book entitled Straight Answers (400 pages) is available at the Pauline Book and Media Center of Arlington, Virginia (703/549-3806).
Saint of the Day Ping!
This paragraph struck me as particularly amusing. The article started with stating that there was very little historical data about this man. It then goes on to talk about how "tradition" says..., as the "story" goes..., it was said..., and so on - pretty much admitting that much of what anyone knows about the man who came to be known as St. Nicholas was legend and unprovable since he was said to have lived in the fourth century. But to then go on and denigrate "Dutch Protestants" for distorting the story sounds like blatant hypocrisy. "Hey, you guys can't make up stories about someone we already made up stories about!"
Catholicism doesn't own the ancient saints nor retain control over any information about them. Catholicism is rife with legend, myth, stories and mysteries. Even a cursory reading of some of the more "popular" saints and their lives will require a certain level of suspended belief. No, Fr. Saunders, the REAL reason for hope in this world is Jesus Christ and the grace of Almighty God that never runs dry or needs a special season in which to be effective. We don't need to revere pretend saints, because we have the true God to whom belongs ALL glory, honor and praise. JESUS is the reason for the season - ALL seasons!
Another tale has the three bags of gold morphing over time into the three golden globes that signify a pawn broker’s shop. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of pawn brokers.
There is a book I have, about the “kneeling Santa” and I have the Christmas ormnament as well of the kneeling Santa at the infant Christ’s creache.
Thank you for the ping and the article!
A great read, making the season more meaningful.