For the unintiated...
"For about two centuries, the hideous maceration of the body was regarded as the highest proof of excellence. . . .St. Simeon Stylites is probably the most remarkable...For a whole year, we are told, St. Simeon stood upon one leg, the other being covered with hideous ulcers, while his biographer [St. Anthony] was commissioned to stand by his side, to pick up the worms that fell from his body, and to replace them in the sores, the saint saying to the worms, "Eat what God has given you."
W.E.H. Lecky, 1838-1903, Irish historian
2006-09-13 06:39:44 · 6 answers · asked by mutterhals 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The poor fellow had an erroneous idea of what God wanted.
He may have been sincere, but he was sincerely wrong.
2006-09-13 06:44:27 · answer #1 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What is apparent by the example of St. Simeon Stylites and his followers is the great need for penance and prayer. Although it may seem overdone to some, it is only because they did not live in that era and country, and above all, because God has not inspired them to follow such rigorous asceticism.
From St. Simeon Stylites we learn another principle even greater than what we see on the surface: That the children of God should be "in" the world but not "of" the world. In Saint Simeon Stylites God has given us a concrete and picturesque example of the highest and most perfect way of serving Him. A perfectly moderate combination of the active and contemplative life. St. Simeon lead the "highest" form of life on top of his pillar, in more ways than one. Some Saints stood out for their intellectual or mystical heights while St. Simeon stood out for his physical and ascetical height.
St. Simeon Stylites is only thought to be uselessly eccentric by those who are ignorant of the great work which he accomplished during his life; fruits which could not be wrought by mere human effort but through the Divine Goodness. The pillar is a holy symbol of that ideal religious life - the strength of the active contemplative where the mind is always in heaven and the feet are firmly planted on the ground.
St. Simeon Stylites now enjoys his eternal reward in heaven along with Our Lady, Saints Anthony, Teresa, Jude, Bernadette, etc. He is there also to intercede for us with God, and the Lord is greatly pleased by prayers to them, and our veneration of them.
2006-09-13 14:14:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So basically this guy had gangrene for a year before he died from it? Way gross. I personally don't think God takes instructions from the pope on who's a saint and who's not. I don't know about saint, but this guy had a huge mental problem. I would think a saint would require a more worthwhile life, like Mother Theresa, than sit around putting worms back in his putrified leg.
2006-09-13 14:16:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think they took rejoicing in suffering to an extreme. Paul says that when suffering comes we should rejoice in it bc through trials we strengthen our faith. However, that doesn't mean God wants us to put ourselves through pain. This man was foolish. He should've spent more time trying to honor his body as God's temple rather than allowing animals to destroy it.
2006-09-13 13:45:27 · answer #4 · answered by STEPHEN J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds revolting I do not se why he is concidered a saint. the term saint means sanctified by the blood of Jesus you made no mention of his faith
2006-09-13 13:47:58 · answer #5 · answered by Mim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he is cool, i like is new album
2006-09-13 13:42:12 · answer #6 · answered by cool and simple 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋