In a general audience a few years ago, Pope Benedict XIV described our relationship with the saints in some particularly moving terms:
There are very dear people in the life of each one of us to whom we feel particularly close, some of whom are already in God’s embrace while others still share with us the journey through life: they are our parents, relatives and teachers; they are the people to whom we have done good or from whom we have received good; they are people on whom we know we can count.
Yet it is important also to have “travelling companions” on the journey of our Christian life. I am thinking of a Spiritual Director, a Confessor, of people with whom it is possible to share one’s own faith experience, but I am also thinking of the Virgin Mary and the Saints. Everyone must have some Saint with whom he or she is on familiar terms, to feel close to with prayer and intercession but also to emulate. I would therefore like to ask you to become better acquainted with the Saints, starting with those you are called after, by reading their life and their writings. You may rest assured that they will become good guides in order to love the Lord even more and will contribute effective help for your human and Christian development. [emphasis added]
My question for readers is: Who is your companion saint? Who has accompanied you on your faith journey? You can share your stories by e-mailing me at [email protected] (as always, I reserve the right to use what you e-mail me, but will keep your name out of it, unless you give me permission otherwise).
