Never Alone

 

Never Alone  

One of the most important realities of our faith is that we are never alone.  Whatever we are facing in life, we are supported by a myriad of hearts, some known to us, but many others that we are not necessarily even aware of.  We call them the Communion of Saints.  I remind myself of this fact at the end of my daily rosary, because I appeal to them individually, at least the ones I am aware of.  I ask them for their help by asking them to pray for me.  It is my own Litany of Saints of those who make up the heavenly circle around me.

Mary: I ask for Mary’s prayers under several titles.  There are many stories of Mary bringing her son Jesus to those in need.  Those that are especially meaningful to me, either because of the power of the story or because I have had the blessing of visiting the actual place of where the story first happened include:

Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of Peace – Mary asked us to pray for peace in this world because it is Jesus who brings a peace the world cannot give.  I have visited Fatima twice. 

Our Lady of Knock – In this Irish apparition Mary did not speak but she helped underscore the power of the Mass.  I was blessed to visit Knock.

Our Lady of Lourdes – The faith and innocence of St. Bernadette continues to help bring healing to all souls that trust in God’s love for them.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – a place and an Order that has born fruit in many great saints of the Church

Our Lady of Kibeho – a much-needed message of love and forgiveness

Our Lady of Sabukia – The two Conventional Franciscans that currently serve my parish served at this shrine in Kenya and made me aware.  Like Lourdes, it is a place of healing and hope.

Our Lady of Guadalupe – Mary’s presence and miraculous image led to a great conversion and an embrace of the gift of life.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception – This title emphasizes the gift of God’s spiritual protection for the eventual mother of our Savior.

Our Lady of the Assumption – This title reinforces Jesus’ own promise to all believers that where He is, there we also will be.            

Our Lady of the Annunciation – This invitation proclaimed by St Michael the Archangel shows that God works through us and with us for the salvation of souls.  This title also reminds me to pray for the people of the parishes I serve; so, I also pray ask at this point the prayers of St. Joseph, St Jude and St Patrick.

Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco (seers of Fatima), St. Bernadette (Lourdes), St. Juan Diego (Guadalupe) - I also ask the prayers of the recognized saints who witnessed the famous apparitions of Mary.  I also include Adel Brise who is not currently canonized, but was the seer of Our Lady of Champion which is the only Church-approved apparition in the United States and is only twenty miles from my home.  

St. Maria Goretti – I developed a strong devotion to Maria while I was the Safe Environment Coordinator for the Diocese of Green Bay.  She is the patron of our efforts as safeguarding children and the most vulnerable.

St. Gianna Molla – This modern-day saint is a shining example of sacrificial love, the sanctity of life, and model of marriage and family life.

St. Gerard – I ask for his prayers for all expectant mothers and their babies.

St. Anne – As the mother of Mary, St. Anne is usually pictured with a young Mary close by her side.  She helps remind me of the power of setting a holy example for my children and grandchildren.

St. Anthony – He had a special devotion to the child Jesus.  Most images and statues of him depict him holding the holy infant.  As a father he reminds me to see the wonder and potential of each child.

St. Lucy – I started praying to St. Lucy when a parishioner asked for prayers for her son who was losing his sight.  Doctors were able to stop the advancement of his blindness.  St. Lucy helps me see the love and healing power of Jesus.

St. Peregrine – I pray to this patron saint of those suffering from cancer because of the great many people who battle cancer.  My own mother, sister and a niece died from cancer and I pray for healing for all with any form of this horrible disease. 

St. Luke – As a physician I ask for his intercession for all those who are ill.

St. Raphael – This angel showed the power to heal in the Book of Tobit.

My Special Canadian Saints:

St. Katari Tekakwitha – This young woman showed a remarkable strength of faith.  She gave me some spiritual advice when I visited and prayed at her tomb that I am very grateful for.

St. Andre Bessette – This humble man showed an incredible faith and power to heal that he took no credit at all for; he gave all the credit to St. Joseph.  I have been blessed to pray at his grave in St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal.  His prayers helped me become the Safe Environment Coordinator in Green Bay.

Holy Canadian Martyrs – Although it is fashionable today to accuse the early missionaries, these men were incredible examples of selfless love and the desire to save all souls.  They saw the human dignity of Native Americans while many saw them as savages and less than human.

Holy Black Robes and Missionaries – I especially invoke the prayers of three such missionaries who were not martyred, but nevertheless devoted their lives to bringing Jesus to others.  Father De Smet served the native peoples of the northwest; Father Marquette and Bishop Baraga served in the Great Lakes region that I call home.

Members of Religious Orders: The following four saints help me recognize the many saints that came for our religious orders:

St. Catherine of Sienna – She was a great visionary and had great influence in the Church.  Her Dialogues had a great influence on my own deeper conversion.    

St. Padre Pio – This modern-day Italian priest bore the marks of Christ and had incredible spiritual gifts. He especially stressed the need for regular confession.

Blessed Stanislas Casey – This modern-day friar was a model of humility and holiness who had Wisconsin roots.  I couldn’t recognize the saints among us without asking for his prayers.

Brother Lawrence – Although he is not currently canonized, this monk who was in charge of the kitchen of his abbey is credited with the book, Practice of the Presence of God, which has had a great influence on me.  You don’t need to have been raised to the altar to be recognized for your holiness.

Divine Mercy Saints:

St. Faustina – She is known as the Apostle of Divine Mercy.  Her Diary is a personal favorite.

St. John Paul II – Although there are many reasons that I could point to with this saint, I refer to him as the Pope of Divine Mercy for his role in bringing St. Faustina’s message to the Church.

St. Maximillian Kolbe – This holy priest was an example of Divine Mercy who gave his life to save another in a Nazi concentration camp.  He was also involved in using various communication methods for evangelization.  I consider him the unofficial patron of my Embers blog.

My Family Saints:  Again, not all saints are canonized; in fact, there are many more who are more or less unknown than those of public knowledge.  These are some members of my family who I am confident are now in Heaven.  There are many more I am hopeful: I entrust them to God’s mercy. 

Aunt Loretta – My mother’s sister who died from Leukemia as a teenager.  I never knew her but my mother told me of her loving heart, ready smile and strong faith.

Patrick and Rose (siblings) – My mother suffered two miscarriages.  These names have been revealed to me, and they are the names I know them by.  They had the gift of life all too briefly, and obviously were without sin, so I am confident they are singing God’s praises forever.

My Grandchildren waiting for me in Heaven – Similar to Patrick and Rose, several of my children have experienced miscarriage.  I look forward to meeting them one day.

Martyrs:

Blessed Father Stan Rother – This modern-day priest has been recognized as a martyr by the Church.  I am blessed to have a deacon stole that first belonged to my deceased brother Tom, that was blessed by Father Stan.  I wear it especially when either I or I think others may need to the courage to live the faith boldly.  

St. Lawrence – He is the patron saint of deacons.

By including these saints in my daily prayers, I feel their prayers and their love for me.  They help assure me of God's love for me.  They serve as inspiration and encouragement.  I know that even here, even now, I am never in fear of being alone.

His Peace <><

Deacon Dan

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