Take, my brethren, for an example of suffering evil, of labour and patience, the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Behold, we account them blessed who have endured. You have heard of the patience of Job, and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is merciful and compassionate.
In the Podcast, we talked about Saints and Heroes. They are valuable because they embody and demonstrate virtues that we wish to internalize to ourselves—like the Prophets referred to in James’ Epistle, who demonstrate suffering, labor, and patience.
Most Catholics choose a patron saint when they are confirmed. I taught 8th grade pre-confirmation classes last year and I really enjoyed my student’s take on the saints, and even learned some new ones: St. Thecla, and St. Dismas to name just two. I have also heard it said that we don’t choose the Saints we have devotion to, but they choose us. These Saints are intended to be our friend, our confidant, and our encouragement. We can pray for their intercession, study their lives and live by their example. And we can have confidence in knowing they are close to God!
Do you have a patron saint, or if not a saint, a hero whom you look up to and who inspires you? What about them inspires you, what values would you like to internalize from them? How do they influence your life?
When you have pondered that, ponder this as well: Why do you think they chose you?
The more the merrier, theres plenty of the Saints to go around! If you aren’t already following Walter Emerson’s Substack you should--he’s all about both St Joan and St Therese!!
St. Joan of Arc! :-) And St. Peter is my confirmation saint. St. Joan is definitely a hero and example for me. As is St. Peter, but I know more historically and experientially about Joan in my devotional life.
St Joan of Arc is a favorite of mine, ive enjoyed your writings about her! I started working my way through Mark Twain’s biography of her and it is astounding. She is an excellent inspiration! Why do you think she chose you?
That's a great question! I'm still trying to figure that out :-) I'm happy you have enjoyed my writings and sharing on Joan. As I told a friend recently, I think out loud by writing and podcasting in my own attempt to discover why she has had such an impact on me. It really started from the early on. I took a trip to France with some high school classmates and found myself confronted by her statue at Mont Saint-Michel. Later there were other indications. Finally it turned into full blown devotion. My guess is that it's because I really, really needed her help! :-)
💯 Bolt’s script is pitch perfect with some real pearlers (window/soul, for fellowship, good servant etc) and great performances with a brilliant Schofield. I start every day with a favourite prayer of St T’s:
Father in heaven, you’ve given us a mind to know you, a will to serve you, and a heart to love you. Be with us today in all that we do so that your light my shine out in our lives. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
I am not Catholic, as I think you know, but Hildegard of Bingen has been a hugely influential saint in my faith life. Discovering a woman of deep faith who accomplished all that she accomplished--from herbal medicine to mystical imagination--purely for the love of both God and Creation changed this little Protestant's entire outlook on Christian history. 🌿
I have not heard of that saint, but will look her up! I agree with Adrian--no denominations in the realm of beauty and love. It is amazing what we can accomplish if we do little things with great love of God!
I’m a convert to Catholicism, so I was late to getting a patron saint. But I suppose that had some upside since it meant choosing as an adult with a little more self-knowledge. My patron is Saint Jerome. I admired his scholarship, his certainty, and also I admit I like his aggressive style.
The more the merrier, theres plenty of the Saints to go around! If you aren’t already following Walter Emerson’s Substack you should--he’s all about both St Joan and St Therese!!
St. Joan of Arc! :-) And St. Peter is my confirmation saint. St. Joan is definitely a hero and example for me. As is St. Peter, but I know more historically and experientially about Joan in my devotional life.
St Joan of Arc is a favorite of mine, ive enjoyed your writings about her! I started working my way through Mark Twain’s biography of her and it is astounding. She is an excellent inspiration! Why do you think she chose you?
That's a great question! I'm still trying to figure that out :-) I'm happy you have enjoyed my writings and sharing on Joan. As I told a friend recently, I think out loud by writing and podcasting in my own attempt to discover why she has had such an impact on me. It really started from the early on. I took a trip to France with some high school classmates and found myself confronted by her statue at Mont Saint-Michel. Later there were other indications. Finally it turned into full blown devotion. My guess is that it's because I really, really needed her help! :-)
Adopted by St Thomas More and Flannery O’Connor. Couldn’t ask for more! No pun intended.
I talked about St Thomas More briefly in my podcast, surely you have seen the film “A man for all seasons”? It’s one of my favorites!
💯 Bolt’s script is pitch perfect with some real pearlers (window/soul, for fellowship, good servant etc) and great performances with a brilliant Schofield. I start every day with a favourite prayer of St T’s:
Father in heaven, you’ve given us a mind to know you, a will to serve you, and a heart to love you. Be with us today in all that we do so that your light my shine out in our lives. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
I am not Catholic, as I think you know, but Hildegard of Bingen has been a hugely influential saint in my faith life. Discovering a woman of deep faith who accomplished all that she accomplished--from herbal medicine to mystical imagination--purely for the love of both God and Creation changed this little Protestant's entire outlook on Christian history. 🌿
Wonderful saint, SE. Such depth and breadth. No denominations in the realms of beauty and love.
I have not heard of that saint, but will look her up! I agree with Adrian--no denominations in the realm of beauty and love. It is amazing what we can accomplish if we do little things with great love of God!
I’m a convert to Catholicism, so I was late to getting a patron saint. But I suppose that had some upside since it meant choosing as an adult with a little more self-knowledge. My patron is Saint Jerome. I admired his scholarship, his certainty, and also I admit I like his aggressive style.
I really enjoyed your recent article on St Jerome, I am sure you got a lot of satisfaction out of that homage to your conversion saint!