The Saints Walk Among Us!

Recently I had been going through a small spiritual trial and was feeling slightly down (maybe due to the constant snow fall) and during my evening prayer I cried out to the Lord asking, where are you? Why do I seem all alone? The Lord then inspired me. He reminded me that I was not alone. He told my mind and heart: “the company of saints are with you, accompanying you throughout your whole life!” This thought miraculously dispelled the sad feeling and I was filled with joy. Now, I’ve always had devotions to the saints, but often we can forget to turn to them in times of difficulty. So much joy did I receive at this renewed realization that the saints are rooting for me, cheering me on, and inspiring me to holiness, that not long after I had this amazing vivid dream where I spent the day with Saint Don Bosco! (click here for full story on this dream) What a wonderful experience being in the presence of this wonderful saint, even if it was during a dream.

The saints, because they are with Christ, having died in him and often for him, are alive in him. Because of this we can have a relationship with them. Each of them have unique stories of their faithfulness to God and his Church and our relationship with them is not one of adoration (adoration belonging by right only to God) but of friendship, as brothers and sisters in the Lord. They pray for us and inspire us to faithfulness.

The catechism of the catholic church states: “It is not merely by the title of example that we cherish the memory of those in heaven; we seek, rather, that by this devotion to the exercise of fraternal charity the union of the whole Church in the Spirit may be strengthened. Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself.”(Catechism of the Catholic Church#957, Vatican II: Lumen Gentium #50)

Have you had an experience walking with a saint? Have you been encouraged by their stories, by their love of Jesus? Maybe today being the feast of Saint Patrick you can invoke his presence, he who spread throughout Ireland the love of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

May all the saints pray for us!