by Sr. Mary Catherine Angeline, O.Carm.
My favorite saint? That is like looking to the stars on a
clear night and choosing only one to be your favorite! Since childhood the
saints have been my friends and heroes. Different situations called for
different saints, to help me out, grow with or just dream about. The first two
I learned about were St. Teresa of Avila and St. Catherine of Siena in
children’s books. I loved the adventure St Teresa had trying to run off with
her brother to convert the Moors. And St Catherine’s playfulness of untying her
mother’s apron strings when her hands were busy...
As I grew into my pre-teen years I read about St. Agnes, St
Domenic Savio, Laura Vicuna of Santiago, Chili and Kateri of the Mohawks.
Little offerings of love to God in difficult situations and the practice of
good deeds inspired me.
As I grew older, more books, movies, and travel - the world
of saints grew exponentially. There was St Joseph patron of my parish; St
Bernadette of Lourdes, Lucia, Francesco and Jacinta of Fatima, St James (the
elder), Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi...
Living in Italy for a period of time offered a saint on almost every
corner where I turned. I became avid to know more and more friends and heroes
who loved Jesus as I did, in their own unique ways. St Margaret Alacoque, St
John Evangelist, Mary Magdalen, John Paul ll, St John Vianny, Rita of Cassia,
Angela of Foglino, Andrew Corsini, St Thomas Aquinas, Don Bosco, St Joseph
Cupertino, Bruno Lanteri, John of the Cross, St Paul of the Cross, St Benedict
and his sister St Scholastic, George Pier Frassati .... How can I chose only
ONE? These are only the ones dearest to me!
Lately, my newest additional friends have become Mother
Angeline Teresa and Carmelite John Soreth. Can you guess why?
The common denominator for all of the saints is their love
for Christ in their own history and own experiences. Today we look for heroes
in Batman, Superman, Spider man, Wonder-woman etc. Why not turn to real people,
who lived real lives, and had real powers to conquer evil with good? The saints
are more than willing to be our friends and heroes and role models. I’m proud
to have so many as I need their help on my journey to love God and meet them
personally one day in heaven.
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