Where is God’s Voice Crying Out to You?
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I had breakfast with my Formation Director the other day and in preparation for my profession, he recommended I choose a patron saint. Hs suggested that I choose St. Catherine of Siena.
Little did he know that she already was my "informal" patron saint -- so that was truly God speaking through him. In fact, it was at one of my order's monthly formation meetings last December that it became very clear in prayer that she was "my saint" and I was called to live a similar life as her's.
The question of who our patron saint is, is an important one for any Catholic to think about, for it suggests what kind of sainthood we are drawn to and a holy figure in the Church who can be our guide. This is Part 2 of living liturgically.
St. Catherine of Siena was a third order religious, writer, mystic, servant to the poor and sick, and change-agent. She was "mystically married" to God. Increasingly, I've felt called to model her way of holiness, and at critical times of discernment, aspects of her life, experiences of God, and decisions come to mind -- and some of them are strikingly similar to my own. I purchased a book of her prayers a few years ago and have read her writings, and many of them deeply spoke to me.
Who is your patron saint? How did they model holiness in their life? How did they live liturgically? Why do you feel drawn to model them in the same way?
To know who your patron saint is, you must read about the saints and their lives. You need to get to know them and their spirituality, and you also need to get to know yourself -- who you are, your talents, your desires, your personality, and what kind of life you're drawn to.
Once we know who our patron saint is, we can model our lives like their's and ask for their intercession in helping us be as holy as we possibly can be and in living liturgically each day.
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, certified health and life coach, and volunteer. She is the creator of the ministry Women in Waiting | Made for Fruitfulness and is a published author. Her writing interests and focus areas include Gospel reflections, Franciscan spirituality, women's spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and daily living.
