Distinction between Admirable and Imitable in the Lives of Saints by Fredrick Faber

We must not however forget the distinction between what is admirable and what is imitable in these records of sanctity. Although several actions of the saints cannot absolutely be imitated by such as living in the midst of the world, yet they may be in some degrees followed: for example, you may imitate the solitude of St. Paul, the first hermit, in your spiritual and real retirements; and the extreme poverty of St. Francis by the practices of poverty: and so of the rest. It is true, there are some of their histories that give more light for the conduct of our lives than orders, such as the Lives of the first Jesuits, that of St. Charles Borromeo, St. Louis, St. Bernard and several others. There are others again which contain more matter of admiration than imitation; as the life of St. Mary of Egypt, of St. Simeon Stylites, and the two Sts. Catherine of Siena and Genoa and such like; which nevertheless fail not in general to give us a great relish for the love of God.

Queen of All Saints, Pray for Us.