Pious Practices:
The Path to Sainthood

The sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession, are central to the spiritual lives of the saints. They understood that frequenting the sacraments strengthens their union with God and provides the grace needed to overcome sin.

• Holy Eucharist: Saints like St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. John Vianney received Holy Communion as often as possible, recognizing it as their spiritual sustenance.

• Confession: St. Padre Pio and many others frequented Confession, understanding it as essential for keeping their souls pure and growing in virtue.

Reference: Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 1210-1419 (Sacraments of the Church)

The saints prioritized mental prayer and contemplation as a way to communicate with God and deepen their relationship with Him. St. Teresa of Avila described prayer as “a close sharing between friends” where one seeks to love and listen to God.

• Mental Prayer: Saints like St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Teresa of Avila practiced mental prayer daily, often meditating on Scripture or the mysteries of Christ's life.

• Contemplation: St. John of the Cross emphasized contemplation and striving for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God through silence and reflection.

Reference: The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila; Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius of Loyola

An essential practice for the saints was a daily examination of conscience. This practice allows one to reflect on their day, acknowledge their sins, and seek to make amends. St. Ignatius of Loyola popularized this method through his Examen.

• Daily Examen: This includes reflecting on moments of grace and sin throughout the day and expressing gratitude, sorrow, and a resolve to improve.

• Frequent Confession: Saints like St. Philip Neri encouraged frequent confession, paired with a thorough examination of conscience, to help them grow in holiness.

Reference: The Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius of Loyola; Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales

A strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a hallmark of the saints. They honored Mary as their Mother, sought her intercession, and lived out the Marian virtues of humility, purity, and obedience.

• The Rosary: Saints such as St. Louis de Montfort and St. John Paul II were ardent advocates of the Rosary. St. Dominic spread the devotion, and many saints found spiritual strength in the mysteries of the Rosary.

• Consecration to Mary: St. Louis de Montfort promoted total consecration to Jesus through Mary as a way of uniting one’s life entirely to Christ through His Mother.

Reference: True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort

The saints did not shy away from suffering. In fact, they saw suffering as an opportunity to unite themselves more fully with Christ and offer up their pain for the salvation of souls. St. Thérèse of Lisieux famously embraced her "little way" of accepting small sacrifices.

• Embrace of the Cross: Saints like St. Paul of the Cross and St. Gemma Galgani willingly accepted their sufferings, seeing them as part of their sanctification.

• Offering it to God: St. John Paul II, in his encyclical Salvifici Doloris, explains how suffering, when offered up, can have redemptive value for oneself and others.

Reference: The Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux; Salvifici Doloris by St. John Paul II

Humility is the foundation of all virtue, as demonstrated by countless saints. St. Teresa of Avila stated, “Humility is the truth,” recognizing that humility involves acknowledging one’s complete dependence on God.

• Humility: Saints like St. Francis of Assisi modeled humility by giving up wealth and status, trusting completely in God’s providence.

• Obedience: Obedience to God’s will and to the Church was non-negotiable for saints like St. Faustina, St. Catherine of Siena, and many others.

Reference: The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila; The Little Flowers of St. Francis by St. Francis of Assisi

The saints expressed their love for God through acts of charity and service. Whether it was St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta serving the poor or St. Vincent de Paul dedicating his life to caring for orphans, love for neighbor is a key characteristic of holiness.

• Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy: Many saints, including St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. John Bosco, were deeply involved in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, serving those in need and guiding souls closer to God.

Reference: The Life of St. Vincent de Paul by Henry Bedford; Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light by Mother Teresa

The saints lived with complete abandonment to God’s will, surrendering all their desires, hopes, and plans into His hands. St. Alphonsus Liguori taught that aligning oneself with the will of God is the surest path to sanctity.

• Trust in Divine Providence: Saints like St. Francis de Sales wrote extensively about trusting God in all circumstances.

• Abandonment in Trials: St. Faustina showed this trust in her Diary, where she constantly repeated the phrase, "Jesus, I trust in You."

Reference: Uniformity with God's Will by St. Alphonsus Liguori; Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales

Mortification, or denying oneself certain comforts, and acts of penance were regularly practiced by the saints as a way of uniting their suffering with Christ and overcoming attachment to sin.

• Fasting and Abstinence: Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, and St. Catherine of Siena engaged in regular fasting and bodily mortifications.

• Interior Mortification: Beyond physical penance, saints like St. Thérèse of Lisieux practiced "interior mortification" by accepting criticism and humbling themselves.

Reference: The Dialogue by St. Catherine of Siena; Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux