The question arises again and again — why this saint and not that one? When it comes to Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day, the debate seems perpetual. This blog picks up the argument, noting:

“Tonight we discussed both Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day, the process of canonization and whether or not they might be canonized. Is this what his life was for? What about Dorothy’s since she actively expressed distaste in the thought of her being a saint; yet she had an incredible devotion to some saints. She was quoted saying, “Don’t call me a saint; I don’t want to be dismissed so easily.” The process of canonization is costly and strange. Shouldn’t the money be given to the many Catholic Worker houses or to pacifist organizations?”

The whole post is here.

News & Record (N.C.) columnist Ed Cone writes about and reviews “My Cousin the Saint.”

“Many religions reserve a special enmity for nonbelievers. In recent years, nonbelievers have returned the favor with a series of belief-skewering books. Now comes Justin Catanoso, ambling onto the scene with an open heart and a reporter’s notebook, to offer a different take on faith and skepticism.

“Catanoso, the executive editor of the local Business Journal and a much-respected former writer for the News & Record, has a new book out called “My Cousin the Saint: A Search for Faith, Family, and Miracles.” It’s a story with multiple threads, including the life and works of his grandfather’s cousin, Gaetano Catanoso, who was canonized by Pope Benedict in 2005; the relationships Justin establishes with the family his grandfather left behind when he emigrated from Italy to the United States almost a century ago; and the progress of the Catanosos in this country.”

Writing a memoir is an act of self examination, self revelation. People I trusted in writing my own memoir persuaded me early that I must be prepared to examine and reveal. It did not come naturally. As a journalist, I have always enjoyed the distance I could keep from the subjects I was/am writing about.

Now comes the time to put the memoir out there for people to see, and I am reminded that the examining and revealing continues. And I am finding, gratefully, that far from being a burden, it’s an honor — an honor to be open and candid with people eager to connect with my story at some personal or spiritual level.

Keeping this blog is part of that act. It’s a new form of communication for me. But I have a couple of great role models: fellow journalist Ed Cone, whose blog I am been reading for years, and singer/songerwriter Molly McGinn, who has been tutoring me in not only the technicalities of blogging, but the spirit of it as well.

The important thing is being honest. I hope I can do it as well as they do.