Because joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, naturally saints have a sense of humor. They are not the solemn, dour people as sometimes assumed to be. This quality makes them attractive. Arguably the prime example of a saint who loved to have fun was St. Philip Neri. He walked around in shoes too big for him and with his beard half shaved. Above the door of his house was the sign “House of Christian Mirth.” He kept a book of jokes on his desk and played practical jokes on young seminarians.
St. Francis de Sales, author of The Introduction to the Devout Life was not above being silly. One day a woman came to him for spiritual advice. She asked, “Some say we should wear rouge; others say not to. What should I do. St. Francis replied, “Wear it on one cheek.”
Recently canonized St. Pier Giorgio Frassati liked to play pranks like shortsheeting the beds of others on retreat.
I imagine the halls of heaven ring with laughter!
Saints in Children’s Eyes
Here are a few gems about saints culled from my book Why Is Jesus in the Microwave?
Saint Charade
One eighth grader refused to take notes as his class viewed filmstrips on the lives of the saints. He insisted to Sister Andrew that he could remember the material. Later a quiz proved him wrong when he made these identifications: St. Martian Despress (for Martin de Porres)—He cured people and then they died; St. Catherine of Siena—She cut off her hair, and then she became a noun. (Sister thought Catherine was more like a verb.)
Living Saint
Sister Mary Beth took her first graders to the church for a tour. The children stood in awe before the large, colorful stained-glass window that depicted Pentecost. It showed the Holy Spirit coming down upon Mary and the apostles. One child whispered seriously, “Sister, where are you in the picture?”
Modern Translation
The seventh grade was telling the story of John the Baptist’s life. When it came to the part where John declared that he was not worthy to unloose the Savior’s sandals, one student gave an original version. He stated, “John said he wasn’t worthy to untie Christ’s saddle shoes.”
Mary’s New Vocation
Two kindergarten students were discussing whether or not the Blessed Virgin Mary was a sister.
“She had to be a sister. She wore a veil,” said one.
“No, she was Saint Joseph’s wife and had a baby, Jesus,” retorted the other.
“Well, after Jesus and Saint Joseph died, then she became a sister,” explained the first.
“Yeah, that’s probably true,” conceded the second.
A Tableau
In the front yard of St. Joan of Arc church stands a large, white, marble statue of St. Joan astride a horse. One fall day when Sister looked out the window, she saw that figures had been added to the scene. Two third grade boys stood, one on either side of St. Joan, sticks drawn as swords, pledging their loyalty to the warrior-saint.
Saint Defaming
As homework to prepare for the Feast of All Saints, Sister Jude Andrew told her children to learn something about their patron saints. On the feastday itself the parish priest paid a visit. Father asked little Frank, “Who is your patron?”
“St. Francis,” came the quick reply, to Sister’s relief.
“Good,” said Father. “Do you know anything about your patron saint?”
“Oh, yes, Father,” Frank said. “He was a sissy.” The boy apparently had not persevered long in his research of St. Francis of Assisi.
Food for Thought
Before the Feast of All Saints the first and second graders were discussing heaven. Lacey said, “There must be an awfully long table in heaven for all those people. And it’s going to take forever to pass the mashed potatoes.”
Alex tried to dispel her concerns. He said, “I heard that our plates will be full when they are put in front of us.”
Not one to stop worrying, Lacey replied, “But what will we do for seconds?”
Clean Spirits
One little girl was spending a very long time in the bathtub. Puzzled, her mother questioned, “Why are you in there for so long, honey?”
“I’m washing my Guardian Angel,” was the surprising reply.
The next day the girl came home from school and announced to her mother’s relief, “Mom, I don’t have to worry about my Guardian Angel anymore. I found out that he doesn’t have a body.”
My Friends in High Places
Speaking of saints, I’ve become acquainted with them by writing about them and giving talks about them.
My book I Am Going offers reflections on the dying words of saints.
I’ve written biographies of St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. Julie Billiart.
Years ago I produced the popular Saints Kit, a box of cards each with the life of a saint and related activities for students. Still available is Saints and Feastdays (Loyola Press).
Due to come out this September is my daily devotional based on words of the saints. (Loyola)
What humorous story about a saint do you know?
How do you show you have a sense of humor?
Here is a short video about St. Philip Neri:
