I only started learning about the lives of the Saints a few years ago. Many Protestants (and Christians, in general) know too little of the history of our faith and reading about the Saints has taught me a lot. I have many favorites, but here are a few I've learned from:
Patrick - Kidnapped and sold as a slave, this Romano-Britain escaped to freedom and became a priest. Returning to the land of his enslavement, he faced danger at every turn in his quest to bring Christianity to Ireland - and act which would later allow for the preservation of learning in the Irish monasteries during the destructive Dark Ages.
Returning evil with good and suffering with mercy is never easy but can lead to amazing events we can never anticipate or imagine.
Columba - This hot-tempered prince and priest of Ireland started a dispute over possession of a book and caused the deaths of many men. His punishment was exile and Columba chose to go to Scotland. There he brought Christianity to the Picts and transformed pagan Scotland forever.
Our darkest transgressions sometimes lead to our greatest works and even an angry sinner can become the "Dove of Christ".
Margaret of Scotland - This Anglo-Saxon princess loved and married the king of Scotland and devotedly raised eight children. She trained her children to follow Christ and encouraged learning and Christanity in Scotland. Her dedication to the poor made her beloved by the Scots. Many of her children and descendents were also Saints.
A caring, teaching mother is a missionary whose dedication is rewarded, generation upon generation.
In our desire to serve God, I think we all can learn much from those who have gone before us.
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