The 2009 Patron Saint of the Year Ministry: Friends of the Patron Saint of the Year Ministry Blog

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Patron Saints

The word "saint" comes from the Latin word sanctus, which translates to "consecrated" or "holy."

Saints are men and women who have lived their lives (and very often gave them up freely) in such a way as to be rewarded with the Kingdom of God. The road to being officially recognized by the Church as a saint in a long one. In the earliest stage, the saint-in-the-making is identified as a "Servant of God." That stage is followed by a recognition of being "Venerable" and then "Blessed" before being recognized by the Church as a saint or "Friend of God." This official recognition by the Church as a saint comes at the conclusion of the process and ceremony called "canonization."

These saints, living exemplary lives, provide for us examples to follow so that we may, in turn, follow them to Heaven.

"Feast Days" are recognized for each saint. These feast days are very often the day of the year in which they died, especially if they gave up their lives for their faith. These special saints that gave up their lives for their faith are called "martyrs."

Based on the course of their lives and the circumstances surrounding them, some of the saints serve as "patrons" of certain peoples, places, things, and occupations, as they intercede for us before God.

Why Pray to the Saints and Angels?

First of all, we don't pray to saints but through them. Catholics can and do pray directly to God; the prayers of the Mass are directed to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Prayer to God is the most important thing we can do, but there is nothing wrong with asking the angels and saints to intercede with God in our behalf. After all, the angels witnessed the fall of one of their own (Satan) while they remained obedient to God and the saints faced the same problems and temptations that confront us, and overcame them with lives of holiness. No Christian hesitates to ask their friends and neighbors to pray for their intentions and needs. The greatest friends we have are those who are in heaven cheering us on as we struggle to overcome our sinful nature and live the Christian life.

All through the Old Testament there are examples of people (Abraham, Moses, the prophets) praying for the benefit of others; and of honor given to angels (Joshua 5:14; Daniel 8:17). In the New Testament we read "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16, NIV). Who is more righteous than one who has achieved their place in heaven? Just because someone has ceased his or her earthly life doesn't mean that they are beyond our reach, or that they have ceased caring for us. The saints are alive in heaven as 1 Corinthians 15:22 tells us and Revelation 5:8 tells us that the prayers of the saints are offered to God. The saints are God's masterpieces and what artist would say "Don't look at my works, pay attention only to me?" We give honor to God by praising His accomplishments.

When Jesus established his Church, He didn't establish one Church on earth and another unrelated Church in heaven. This is why, when we recite the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed (the Profession of Faith in Mass), we say that "we believe in the communion of saints"; we are all part of one spiritual community, God's family. As family, we care about what happens to one another. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, He replied that the first was to love God, and the second was to love our neighbor. The saints in heaven keep this second commandment by interceding for us and helping us to love God. We are all alive in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:22) and since we affirm the resurrection of the dead, asking the saints for assistance should pose no problem.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only pathway linking heaven and earth. The saints are ones who have lived the Christian life and received their eternal reward; they have walked in Jesus' footsteps. We ask that by their example and assistance, that we may walk in those footsteps as well. We do not pray to the saints to avoid Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life, but we do ask for additional assistance in directing our needs through Jesus to God the Father.

No personal information will ever be asked or required

When you request your patron saint, please know that you will never be asked for any personal information other than your first name or the first name of those that you are requesting saints for. Your name(s) and email address are always kept private and will never be sold or forwarded. If you have a connection story that you allow me to post, again, your privacy will be respected. Also, if you do not want your name or saint listed on this blog, that too will be your choice and will never be posted.

Please be wary of any sites that require personal and private information ...

I also never ask for anything in return except for your prayers. I have been approached by a few people who have been pleased with this devotion and especially the connections that they have experienced and have wanted to do more. My response to them is if you feel that you would like to do something more, please either have a Mass said for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, who are our next and upcoming saints, or make a donation to St. Jude Hospital in Memphis.

Again, please be wary of any sites that require a donation or any other monetary expense ...

Is The Blessed Virgin Mary, specifically her Assumption, the perfect saint for me this year?

Absolutely! Once again, for the fourth year in a row, my patron and I hit upon an instant connection! And once again, the saint who "chose" me is one that just bowled me over! I had a glorious time researching this particular event and marveling at just how amazing our heavenly intercessors are and how well they know us and just what we need!

I just want to tell everyone that requests a patron saint for the year that if you don't have an instant connections, don't fret and most of all, don't be disappointed! Keep on researching your saint. Pray to your saint. Talk to them. Keep them in your mind and sometime, without even realizing it, you will see why you were chosen by this particular saint.

Keep in mind that there are so many heavenly intercessors that are just waiting to be called upon, especially the ones that are not well known. This is our chance to bring them to the forefront and to tell others about them. One thing that I have loved doing during this devotion is looking up the saints who are obscure. I have learned so very much about them!

Most of all, enjoy your saint. They will be by your side throughout the year. What a grand feeling, knowing that you aren't alone!

God bless you!

Marianne

The 2009 Patron Saint of the Year Ministry

Monday

Friends of the Patron Saint of the Year Ministry Blog

To Request Your Patron Saint, Email Me At

Patron Saints

Why Pray to the Saints and Angels?

Jesus, We Always Will Trust in You!

Reflection

Mary, Queen of All the Angel and Saints

No personal information will ever be asked or required

To pray ...

Marianne's Patron Saint for 2009

Is The Blessed Virgin Mary, specifically her Assumption, the perfect saint for me this year?

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