Which Saints Are Your Friends?
Do you have saints that you consider to be your friends? In reading the new book from Teresa Tomeo, “Girlfriends and Other Saints: Companions on my Journey of Faith,” where she shares her experiences of how the communion of saints is really communion of our friends, it got me thinking about which saints I consider to be friends.
St. Therese
Tops on my list is St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower. She is my confirmation saint and just as Teresa Tomeo shares amazing experiences she’s had with saints like St. Teresa of Avila and St. Catherine of Siena, St. Therese has made herself present to me in many ways. She has sent me “roses,” answered my most pressing novena prayers and just seems to pop up in the most surprising places.
When I stand at mass, I like to imagine St. Therese standing behind my right shoulder and my Guardian Angel standing behind my left with Mary behind and in between them both with loving arms outstretched guiding my way. I recently read a fascinating book by Father Michael Gaitley called “The Second Greatest Story Ever Told,” which discusses the role of Divine Mercy in our generation and how it has been revealed through a number of saints, including St. Therese, St. Faustina and St. John Paul II. I recommend this as a MUST READ, as it really helps tie the message of Divine Mercy all together.
I truly feel like St. Therese and I are friends, as she has seen me through my conversion to Catholicism and I call on her in many situations. I just feel her calming, sweet presence and turn to her so often.
St. Faustina
In the last year or so, I’ve felt a call toward St. Faustina and her message. I don’t quite feel like we are “friends” yet, but we are getting to know each other :). I have not read her Diary in full, though have read through many Divine Mercy Daily emails, which cover portions of her diary. I have read about her and I want to learn more about this humble Polish nun and the incredible messages she received from Jesus and Mary.
St. Benedict
Early on in my conversion, before actually joining the Church, I felt drawn to St. Benedict and his Rule for monks. While his rule of living was meant for the monastery, it really can be lived in our secular world, as well. I love his call to daily conversion — we must keep turning to God every single day — and how he places holiness on the most ordinary of things and activities from cooking utensils to manual labor. They are all gifts from God and we must treat them as such. I have a statue of him on my desk to remind me of the holiness of my day-to-day activities.
St. John Paul II
This year, I’ve felt a call to St. John Paul II. I realized I had a connection to him after a visit to a church on Gozo in Malta that he had visited years before. I feel like it may have played a role in my conversion. I was also drawn to read the new book “City of Saints: A Pilgrimage to John Paul II’s Krakow” by George Weigel about the many places he lived. It’s a wonderfully written read that combines travel, history, religion and biography. Poland is definitely on my list of places to visit!
Which saints do you consider to be friends? Please post in the comments below!
Oh definitely read all of St. Faustina’s diary. I just finished it and it is incredible. I think I’m also going to try to find a biography of her because she really doesn’t talk about her life, but she was incredible, just a woman who loved in a capacity unheard of really. She is amazing.
No fantastic stories, but I feel St Catherine of Siena chose me for friendship! I’m in the midst of reading her Dialogue and there are times I’m sure she has peered into my heart. St Augustine has also captured my attention, but we’re still getting to know one another.
Awesome — thanks for sharing!!
St Agatha, the saint for women ( women’s cancer and rape )
St Jude, for hopeless cases like me
St Elizabeth of Hungary, my name saint
St Francis de Sales, a loving gentle man who wins souls with a carrot and not a stick
Beautiful. My saint who has been with me has always been St. Therese. She has been with me through deep trials and pain. I love her. We are very different but she leads me but aren’t most friends.
St Rita is an inspiration to me. She was willing to give up so much. She is my constant reminder to raise my children right against what society wants.
Padre Pio was an early factor in my search for deeper meaning and understanding. He was stern and strict but had such a deep love. He always has me thinking for the true meaning of love.
Lastly, St. Andre who was Blessed Andre when I first heard of him. Someone with so many obstacles in his path…so many telling him quit. He never did, accepted his meagerness and accepted God’s greatness.
Wonderful saints! Thanks so much for sharing!
If I were to decide on one saint, it would definitely be Saint Therese. She’s my confirmation saint, and I’ve a few books about her, including her popular “Story of a Soul”. I have a rosary blessed with her relics and I love to try to model myself after her. Other saints that stand out to me are Saints Gianna Molla and Mother Teresa, because the prolife cause is very important to me and both of these saints actively stood up against abortion. Lastly, Saint Catherine of Alexandria is one of my favorites because she was one of the early martyrs of the church who bravely stood up for her beliefs and converted many, despite being very young.
Great ones! I love all of those as well 🙂
St. Philomena is at the top of my list. I believe she has been with me long before I converted. She is my confirmation Saint. She is the patron for hopeless and desperate causes. After converting I found the power of the rosary. St. Philomena is the patron for the Living Rosary. A few years later I decided to pursue a college degree. She is the patron for students. My husband had an unknown blood disorder and once again St. Philomena was there… the patron Saint for blood disorders.
I love it! Thanks for sharing, Lauretta!
omggg the 4 are my favoriteeeeees