Saints Who Lived to 100 or More (Last Part)

A simple analysis

We know that centenarians are rare in human history. What is even rarer centenarians who were celebrated as Saints in the altar of the Church. They have focused their life in Christ and centered all what they did in God. Given the list of 22 blesseds and saints, if some analysis were done to this group, we can learn something from the study. There is a limitation to the study as this is just a sample listing. For certain, there are more centenarian-saints in the records of the Church (which are not included here due to the author's limited resources), and also many more in the early centuries whose lives were not recorded in the Church's books. But with this sample list and an analysis, one can produce questions to help anyone reflect on what may have been the reasons for their longevity.

14 out of 22 were religious

14 out of the 22 centenerians were religious - meaning those who lived a very structured community life (or solitary in community) with the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to a religious superior. This is quite a remarkable statistic as it is more than half of the entire group: 63.6%. And they are distributed in an almost equal number - with no particular religious order markedly predominating the others: 3 Dominicans, 2 Benedictines, 2 Carthusians, 2 Franciscans, 1 Servite, 1 Gilbertine, 1 Camaldolese, 1 Trinitarian, and 1 Carmelite. Could it be that a very structured life, akin to living in a religious community, contribute to longevity?

10 out of 22 were hermits

10 out of the 22 centenarians were hermits most of their life - or lived an eremitical life at one stage of their life. The percentage of hermits over the others is 45.5% - just a little below half of the group. We know how living in a city can be a very stressful lifestyle, and can contribute to an early death. Could it be that living in an isolated place, far from the hectic pace of civilized activity, be a contributory factor to longevity?

9 out of 22 lived to 100 years

9 out of 22 centenarians, or 40.9% lived to 100 years; the other 13 outlived them! It is interesting to note that in this sample, there are more who lived passed the age of 100 years. What could have been the common denominator shared by those who have lived passed 100 years?

13 lived in the second millenium

7 centenarians lived in the first millenium, 13 lived in the second millenium, while 2 lived on the cusp: between the 1st and 2nd millenium. Those two who lived on the cusp between the 1st and 2nd millenium, are the only two in the group who lived to 120 years. And they both lived as Benedictines. Is living on the cusp of the millenium contributory to longevity? Were the two who survived the stresses of the 'millenial change', strengthened both spiritually and physically by the experience?

Life is a gift

We can quote Venerable John Paul II as one who also lived on the cusp - between the second and third millenium - what his view on life is. He says:

"This life is a talent entrusted to all of us so that we can transform it and increase it, making it a gift to others."

What John Paul II says is true. Each one's life is a gifts from God. Each life on earth is an instrument by which we see God's mercy and goodness, even despite imperfections and defects. With this sample study on the life of centenarian-saints, one can use it as a platform to learn more about the Christian faith, and the riches of Catholic spirituality (Benedictine, Trinitarian, Camaldolese, etc.). By reflecting more on what the gift of life essentially means in the Christian context, one can discover a depth of meaning, and a richness of purpose to live for God and others.