Surround Yourself with the Saints
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
You are the company you keep. Your character, behavior, and beliefs are greatly influenced by the people you associate with, especially those who are in close proximity. As Catholics, we must keep the saints close to our hearts and look to them for guidance, intercession, and inspiration.
It is not always clear how we should live out our faith in a society that is very much anti-Christian, but one of the many treasures of the Church is its vast repository of individuals who have attained great heavenly grace despite their sinful nature as humans. Frequently calling upon and studying the saints not only provides a blueprint for success but will also certainly have an influence on our own souls as we become more like them in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Understanding the Saints
Despite going to Catholic school for nearly the entirety of my education, I didn’t learn much about the saints as a child. My understanding of the saints was cartoonish. In my imagination, St. Francis was a man who walked through the woods speaking to animals — much like Cinderella sings to woodland creatures as they dress her for the ball — and St. Nicholas was Santa Claus.
As I’ve gotten to know the saints throughout my reversion to the faith, I’ve come to see them as my spiritual mentors and patrons. I call upon them more frequently than I ever thought I would, and I have come to rely upon their intercession.
By learning and meditating upon their stories, I feel called to become more like them — especially to practice humility — because it’s one of the greatest universal traits among them. I also feel a greater love for my Catholic faith that honors these individuals so beautifully. They inspire me to be a better human being because they elevate humanity. They are the best of us.
The saints, far from boring and homogenous, are as varied and exciting as any romantic adventure, some living a life of holiness from childhood, others great sinners until a glorious conversion. There is no saint who does not have some piece of their life that can be taken and applied to my own.
As Father Jacques Philippe writes, “For those who aspire to the fullness of love, every suggestion that shows them a clearer or quicker way to that goal is extremely valuable….This is why it is very important, even if not everyone understands, to pass on the best parts of the saints’ messages to today’s Christians to help them progress faster toward the perfection of love” (see “In the School of the Holy Spirit,” Fr. Jacques Philippe).
Studying the Saints
There is an abundance of biographies of the saints that are easily accessible via ThriftBooks, AbeBooks, and/or a church library. Sigrid Undset’s “St. Catherine of Siena” and Elizabeth Goudge’s “My God and My All: The Life of St. Francis of Assisi” have been truly transformational in my understanding of the saints and how to live in accordance with God’s will. St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s parents are more modern saints who were perhaps most aligned with my current state in life as a wife and mother. I loved learning about St. Zélie and Louis Martin in Hélène Mongin’s “The Extraordinary Parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.”
The Augustine Institute also has a wonderful podcast, “Catholic Saints,” that discusses the lives of the saints. The 20-minute episodes are great introductory lessons into the lives of the saints. The Word on Fire Institute offers video introductions to many of the most notable saints and other holy people, too.
I’m disappointed to admit that I don’t always click with a saint after learning about him or her. I’m learning much about St. Thérèse of Lisieux this year via Endow. While her spiritual insights are wonderful — especially her Little Way and its application to my daily life as a mother — I don’t feel particularly called to pray to her for her intercession. Perhaps that will change, or perhaps it is simply that we are called to follow and forge strong bonds with some saints, and only learn about and admire others.
St. Philip Neri writes, “The best preparation for prayer is to read the lives of the saints, not from mere curiosity, but quietly and with recollection, a little at a time. And to pause whenever you feel your heart touched with devotion.” It is incredibly important to choose your friends wisely, for they will touch your heart and shape your actions, attitudes, and soul. The saints will inspire you and transform you for the better. Keep them close as your greatest company.
Margo White is a wife and mother living in Central Virginia. When she’s not cooking or changing a diaper, she enjoys reading and dreaming of living in a cabin over a London fog latte and pastry.