A Procession of Saints

OUR weekly Bible study group has embarked on a study of saints that has proven remarkably refreshing. We usually study Scripture and had just finished a close reading of the book of Jonah but thought we would try something a little different for a month or two.

Posted Date : 2025-03-03 20:05:00

Photo: Sue Careless

Description: St Alban, St Mary Magdalene and Archangel Michael as seen in the windows of St George’s, Moncton, N.B.

By Sue Careless

OUR weekly Bible study group has embarked on a study of saints that has proven remarkably refreshing. We usually study Scripture and had just finished a close reading of the book of Jonah but thought we would try something a little different for a month or two. After an introductory session on what a saint is, each member chose a saint or famous Christian that they would like to present to the group. It was key that the saint was their own choice, not one arbitrarily assigned. Those of us who had some resources shared them and we all delved into Wikipedia and other online sources.

Once the saints were chosen, they were presented in chronological order, one saint each evening. This procession of saints gave us something of a rough church history although, of course, with huge gaps. We still began our meeting with prayer and fellowship. Afterwards, each saint’s story took about one hour allowing time for questions and discussion. What was most surprising was that even members who were not usually keen to lead a group were comfortable talking about their saint. To make it a bit more fun, the presenter didn’t reveal the name of the saint at the beginning, but the rest of us would try to guess who it was. (Only the organizer of the procession needed to know the names.) This hidden identity approach is optional.

Here was our particular “procession of saints”: St. Mark, St. Patrick, St. Teresa of Avila, Florence Nightingale, William Wilberforce, Simone Weil and St. Teresa of Calcutta [Kolkata]. We’ve so enjoyed these sessions that we hope to try another procession of saints next spring with some new candidates.   

Here is the profile or outline we used.

 

A Saint’s Profile

• Give us a biography of your saint: birth, childhood, youth, education etc.

• Perhaps bring a map. (If the name of a city or country has changed, indicate its name and location today.)

• Tell us the social status & family and cultural background of your saint.

• What shaped them? How did their early life contrast with their later life?

• Who was an important mentor?

• What was an important influence or turning point?

• In what way(s) were they particularly gifted? What were their strengths?

• No saint is perfect. What were their weaknesses?

• What challenges did they met? What did they have to overcome?

• What passage of scripture (might have) inspired them? 

• Tell us a famous quote and /or last words if they were a martyr.

• Read us a famous prayer or hymn that is attributed to them.

• What is their symbol or emblem (for martyrs, traditionally their means of execution.)

• How old were they when they died?

• When are they commemorated on the church calendar (day of death usually)? See BCP ix.

• What are they particularly remembered for? What is their legacy?

• Can you show a painting depicting them or a photo?

• Is there a biography of them that you would recommend or has been recommended?

• Why did you choose this saint?

• What inspires you most about them?

 

Choose a BCP Collect for your saint. See below:

General Collects for Saints:

All Saints Day 299    

All Souls Day (for the faithful departed) 301

Collects for Saints in which they can be named:

Founders, Benefactors, Missionaries and other worthies 302

Any saint 304

Biblical saint such as an Apostle or Evangelist eg. Mark 272 Mary Magdalene 286

Martyr 310 or 311

Bishop or Archbishop 312

Missionary 314

Virgin or Matron (& possibly a martyr) 316

Doctor (teacher/theologian) of the Church, Poet or Scholar 317   

 

 

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