Saint Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, which got me thinking about how the “official” saints of the church touch our individual and collective worlds. A woman I met recently was born on St. Patrick’s Day, and her parents honored the occasion by naming her for this saint whose feast day is the cause for much celebration. So for today’s Friday Five, please share with us a little something about the saints that are a part of your life in one way or another.
1) Do you have a “favorite” saint? Tell us about him or her!
I have at least two! St. Brigid ~ healer, artist, abbess ~ and St. Ignatius, whom I consider a friend, mentor, and teacher, even if he did live 450 years ago.
2) Some of us share names with a saint. If that is the case, has that saint, or his or her feast day, held any meaning for you?
My first name is Mary, so perhaps I should give some consideration to Mary Magdalene.
3) Is there a saint whose life or story intrigues you (other than number 1)?
Who comes to mind? Some "official Catholic saints" and some who are important to me in various ways regardless of official status: Syncletica, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Sienna, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Jesuit Peter Favre, founder of my Catholic boarding school Julia Chatfield (pictured above with my dear friend and sculptor Sister Agatha Fitzgerald). We are doing a Bible Study on Exodus at church, and so this morning the midwives Shiprah and Puah come to mind as I think about life stories I would like to know.
4) Do you pray with, or to, a saint (or saints)?
Not "to," but I definitely talk things over with Ignatius, and I pray with many other saints in the sense of praying their words and considering their circumstances and challenges.
5) Many saints are designated patrons of occupations, needs or occasions (like traveling). Is there such a saint that factors into your life professional, or avocationally?
That would be Brigid, for ministry in general, and Ignatius and Peter Favre, for the ministry of spiritual direction.
Bonus: please share a picture of one (or more) of the saints named above.
Thanks for including Brigid. I would like to learn more about her, as I know she is an inspiration to a number of women whom I admire. I also need to revisit Ignatius, whose work I studied too long ago! Praying the words, or in the tradition of, holy people is indeed a way to pray with them. Thanks for playing, Robin.
ReplyDeleteTherese of Lisieux, The Little Flower, is a special one for me, also Mary Magdalene and Our Lady. And St. Francis.
ReplyDeleteHi great rreading your post
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