Saints Who Loved: Animals, Nature, Hiking, and Mountain Climbing!

Did you know that there are tons of saints who had a great love of the outdoors? It only makes sense to praise the Creator through the creation!! Anyhow, here are some that I thought of.

I. Some saints

1. Pope St. John Paul II

He loved hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and skiing. "Mountain climbing requires rigorous virtues in those who practice it: strict discipline and self-control, prudence, a spirit of sacrifice and dedication, care and solidarity for others. Thus we can say that mountain climbing develops character. In fact, it would not be possible to face disinterestedly the difficulties of life on the mountains if the physical and muscular strength, which is very necessary, were not sustained by a strong will and an intelligent passion for beauty."

    

Okay, I couldn't resist this one...

 

Of course, Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati!

3. St. Gianna Beretta Molla

She always felt very close to God when on the top of a snowy mountain.

   


4. St. Bernard of Montjoux (or of Menthon)

Patron Saint of Backpackers, Mountaineers, Travellers in the Mountains




5. St. Christopher

Patron of Travellers, could be patron of river crossers?? Also, his name means "Christ-bearer". That's pretty cool!





6. Bl Junipero Serra

A founder of 7 missions in California. He must have hiked through some hills, mountains, etc.




7. St. Francis of Assisi

Obviously, the patron of animals. But also, a patron saint of California!




II. People in the Bible who climbed mountains:

1. Jesus: He climbed a number of different mountains, such as Mt. Tabor (where the Transfiguration took place), the Mt. of Olives (by the Garden of Gethsemane), the unnamed mountain where the Sermon on the Mount took place, the so-called Mt. of Temptation (where the devil took Jesus to tempt Him and and to show Him all the kingdoms of the world), and finally Calvary (or Golgotha, the Place of the Skull where He was crucified)

2. Peter, James, John: They all went to Mt. Tabor with Christ.

3. Mary: "Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste..." -Luke 1:39

4. Moses: He saw the burning bush on Mt. Horeb, he received the 10 commandments on Mt. Sinai, and he died on Mt. Nebo.

5. Noah: The ark landed on Mt. Ararat, modern day Turkey

6. Abraham and Isaac: Mt. Moriah was the place where God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his son Isaac. This has been sometimes identified as the same mountain as Cavalry, since it has the same story, in which a father has to sacrifice his son. According to tradition (or legend), Adam and Eve are buried at the foot of the mountain.

7. Elijah: Elijah challenged the priests of Baal on the top of Mt. Carmel

The Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia

These are a few questions about the Lord of the Rings and Narnia books/movies that I have answered. On this blog here, and this one, you can see what other people put as well. Thanks!

Favorite character from the Lord of the Rings, and why?

I would have to say that my absolute favorite character in the Lord of the Rings is Samwise Gamgee. His faithful friendship and supportiveness to Frodo is truly inspiring. Even when Frodo tells him to go away, he chooses to forgive him and come to his aid in time of need. This ready forgiveness, I think, echoes so exactly the mercy of Christ, even when we try to leave Him. Sam helps Frodo so much and just encourages and consoles him even by his mere presence. I love his humility as well. But in my opinion, even greater than all of these is his steadfast perseverance, his dedication to do what's right, to fight the good fight and to never give up.

Favorite character from the Chronicles of Narnia, and why?
 I would have to say that my all-time favorite character from the Narnia series would be Lucy for her simple yet amazing faith/trust. She's just such a likeable, sweet character.

Favorite scene from Lord of the Rings?​

My favorite part of the Lord of the Rings is not in the book but comes near the end of the Two Towers. It's when they're at Osgiliath and Sam encourages Frodo​ by saying that they need to finish their quest, and right after that Faramir lets them go free. It's my favorites scene because it's just such an inspiring example of perseverance and hope in looking forward to the goal.

 

Favorite scene from Narnia?

My favorite scene from Narnia is the scene at the end of the last chapter in the Voyages of the Dawn Treader. It's when Reepicheep leaves to Aslan's country, Aslan turns from a lamb into a lion, and Edmund and Lucy find out that they will not return to Narnia. I love this part especially:

Edmund: "But are you there in our world, too, Sir?"

Aslan: "I am. But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there." 

Which one did you read first? Is one especially "ingrained" in your memories of childhood as something iconic?
I'll definitely have to say that Narnia is more a part of my childhood that Lord of the Rings. My mom read me The Magician's Nephew when I was 9 and after that I loved reading them all. (My favorite is the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by the way.) My siblings and I also lied to compare ourselves to the Pevensies, since there are 4 of us too. I'm Susan. :)  

Which ​soundtrack do you enjoy more?
Oh, definitely the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. Narnia's was OK, but the Lord of the Rings music is the best!

Which 3 characters would you enjoy having supper with and why?
If I could have supper with 3 characters from Narnia and Lord of the Rings, it would be Mr. Beaver, Lucy, and Sam. I think that would be a good mix. That would be fun!

Favorite quote from each author?
I've got two for Tolkien, this one:

"The only cure for sagging or fainting faith is Communion. Though always Itself, perfect and complete and inviolate, the Blessed Sacrament does not operate completely and once for all in any of us. Like the act of Faith it must be continuous and grow by exercise. Frequency is of the highest effect. Seven times a week is more nourishing than seven times at intervals." 

And this one:

From C. S. Lewis: "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the ones you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."

  

What do you think about the movie versions of them [The Chronicles of Narnia and LOTR]? Pros and cons, final judgment?
I thought the Narnia movies were OK, but not nearly as good as the books. I liked The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the best (go Mr. and Mrs. Beaver), but the other 2 weren't as good as I'd expected. I love the Lord of the Rings movies, though! The movies really helped bring the stories to life. The costumes, music, scenery, etc are all great.

Most valuable lessons from both?
From Narnia, always trust in God, despite the times you don't always sense him there.
From Lord of the Rings, never give up in pursuit of the good in life and strengthen others.

If you could ask any two characters from either works one question, what would they be?
I would ask Frodo this: When did you realize that there was no going back to your old life? At what moment were you changed so dramatically that you couldn't go back? I would ask Lucy this: How did you manage to never doubt Aslan's presence, even amidst others' disbelief?