Day 31: The Uncanonized Saints: Patrons of [fill in the blank here]

This is the end of all saints month and what a ride!  There have been a total of 30 men and women throughout the month helping a range of people from farmers to people with headaches to the homeless. 

 On the last day of May, let me take this chance to celebrate the most important saints I or any other living person will ever know:  The people around us.

We all know saints in our own lives.  Our teachers, friends, role models, family members, deceased or still living.  They are the people who live for others instead of themselves, who touch people's hearts, and shine in even the toughest circumstances.  They are the living St. Francises, St. Peters, St. Theresas and St. Monicas, bringing the greatest gifts of faith, hope and love into a world that needs it. You who are reading this might even be one of these saints for another person. 

I know a man named Tom, who I think as much of a saint as any of the 12 apostles.  I met Tom on my 2nd day of volunteering at the nearby hospital.  I was scheduled to shadow Tom and finish my training so I could do everything on my own.  Tom greeted me with a genuine smile and firm handshake before we began.  I conversed with him on our way to the patients' rooms and observed his real interest in everything I had to say.  He never got distracted  About to minister to the first patient, he gave me the reigns and told me to do everything, he would be there if I needed him.  I panicked as it was only my second day, but I thank him today for throwing me in headfirst, because now I know exactly what to do.  His constructive criticism was never to harsh and always had good reasoning and I swear he had a smile permanently stuck to his face.  After the rounds were done he insisted on buying me some food from the cafeteria as we continued to get to know each other.  However, as he was leaving me, he paused, took off the crucifix he had around his neck and handed it to me.  He said to wear it each and every time I volunteer, and then he walked away.  I was shocked at this generosity as I was pretty sure he wore this crucifix every time he volunteered and it surely must have meant something to him.  To give it to me, I felt so honored and my heart felt like it had been touched by an angel.  Tom is one of those people, one of those saints, who gives off a presence of humility and faith everywhere he goes.  His generosity and wisdom completes his saintliness and I am eager to talk to him every chance I get.  He may not have founded a religious community or died in the midst of persecution, but he gives the presence of Jesus to everyone he meets, and I consider that strong grounds for sainthood. 

Canonization is not a requirement for sainthood.  Yes, it is good to look to those models the Church gives us for our faith, however, there are great saints around us if we just take the time to look.  We are all part of the communion of saints and we should acknowledge that saintliness in both ourselves and others whenever we get the chance.  I truly believe that anyone and everyone can and should become a canonized saint, because that is what God put in each of us:  the potential to become saints. 

Happy All Saints Month Everyone!

Day 30: St. Joan of Arc, patroness of soldiers

On Memorial Day, let us look to one of the patrons of soldiers and one of the famous soldiers in history, Joan of Arc.  Happy Feast Day St. Joan!

Lived From: 1412-1431
Hometown: Small Town in France
Feast Day: May 30th

St. Joan started her life as a saint from a young age.  At the age of 12 she began to hear the voices of the saints who were her counselors.  The will of God was revealed to her over time, but by May of 1428 Joan was sure that she was to help the King of France in what we now call the Hundred Years War.  She presented herself to the military commander of France but he refused her.  However, she predicted the loss of one of the battles, and was allowed to help King Charles.  Joan led the troops into battle and was able to recapture Orleans and Troyes.  Her faith, honesty, and simplicity gave her the skills of a great leader.  She even helped King Charles to be crowned as king again and reclaim France.  She was eventually captured by the English because her companions left and failed to take her with them.  She was tried in England for heresy and was burned at the stake in 1431.  For more information:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08409c.htm

St. Joan of Arc, thank you for your bravery, courage, and example.  You served your country and was willing to die for it.  On this Memorial Day help us in praying for the soldiers who have fought and died for their own country. 

Day 29: St. Tarcisius, patron of First Communicants

Yes, now we have the Other patron saint of First Communicants!  However, Tarcisius is also a great saint to celebrate on the feast of Corpus Christi, the body of Christ.  After all, he literally died for the body of Christ!

Lived sometime in the 3rd Century?
Hometown: Rome, Italy
Feast Day: August 15th

Tarcisius was a 12 year old boy and served as an acolyte for the early Christian Masses.  The routine was that every day, a deacon would be sent to carry the Eucharist to prisoners in jail about to die from persecution.  One day there was no deacon to go, so Tarcisius was sent instead.  On they way he was attacked and beaten to death by a mob.  His body was rescued by a fellow Christian and he was laid to rest in the catacombs.  For more information:

http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/TARCIS.htm

St. Tarcisius, thank you for your example of bravery and courage even when you are so young.  Teach us the same honor and reverence that you had for the body of Christ.  On this feast of Corpus Christi, pray for us who need the graces of Christ. 

Day 28: St. Dymphna, patroness of those with mental illness

It is St. Dymphna's feast day today!  Well, on some calendars that is.  Her feast day is actually May 15th on most calendars, but hey, we still get to celebrate a great May saint! 


Lived sometime during the 7th Century. 
Hometown: Ireland
Feast Day: May 15th

Born to a devoted Christian mother and a wealthy pagan father who was king, Dymphna grew up Christian and was secretly baptized.  She was only 14 years old when her mother died and her father was greatly devastated.  His advisors suggested that he remarry, and he agreed only on the condition that his new wife look like his old one.  He could find none so his advisors suggested he marry his daughter Dymphna, as she looked like her mother.  The king agreed to this but Dymphna strongly refused.  She fled her home with her confessor and they traveled all the way to Belgium.  Her father and his advisors found them and the king asked his daughter once again if she would marry him.  She refused and the king ordered his advisors to kill the confessor while he himself beheaded his daughter.  She was only around 15 years old when she died.  For more information:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=222 

Day 27: St. Veronica, patroness of Laundry Workers and Photographers

We all like to take pictures, and we all have to undergo the chore of laundry, so in whichever situation you may be in, St. Veronica is the saint for everyone!

Lived From ?
Hometown: ?


Feast Day: July 12th

Veronica's only actual scene in the gospel is on the way of the cross, when Veronica wiped the face of the suffering Jesus with her own veil as he walked on the road towards Calvary.  That veil was imprinted with the face of Christ. Some also say that she was the woman with a blood condition whom Jesus healed in the gospel of Matthew.  For more information:

http://st-veronica-medal.com/

St. Veronica, you had the humility and wisdom to see the need of Christ on the way to the cross.  Help us to see the needs of Christ in others around us, and do what we can with our own gifts to fulfill those needs, no matter how big or small.  Thank you for your example for us, Veronica.