All Saints Day

 I love this time of year. The anticipation of Halloween has passed and all things holiday, festivities are upon us. I have come to realize my love for this anticipation for Advent. Our culture has Christmas music playing constantly, decorations neatly put up and a mad dash for buying from now till the Dec. 23rd, a mission to accomplish and something to celebrate for the remaining of the year. 

But I love that the Catholic Church allows for the process of it all, the process of gearing our homes and hearts for Christ to come, to be born in a humble stable born for the world. And the enjoyment to celebrate with family and food, Thanksgiving and all we are grateful for before the true meaning of the season comes upon us. 

Speaking of festivities, yesterday was All Saints Day. A beautiful and profound feast day to remember and celebrate the great many known and not as well known saints in heaven. A number come to mine that are my 'go to', and my favorites as well as those I want to grow a closer relationship to and learn more about.

Some of my favorites:

-Our Lady

-St. Joseph

-St. Maria Faustina

-St. John Paul II

-St. Padre Pio

-St. Gemma Galgani

-St. Anthony of Padua

-Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati

-St. Zelie and Louis Martin

-St. Therese of Lisieux

-St. Mother Teresa

-St. Gianna Molla

-St. Augustine

-St. Oscar Romero

-Bl. Miguel Pro

-St. Anne

-St. Josemaria

St. Michael, St. Gabriel, &St. Raphael Archangels

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Saints I want to learn more about/grow in devotion to:

-St. John Vianney

-St. Francis de Sales

-St. Catherine of Siena

-St. Teresa of Avila

-St. Charles Borromeo

-St. John the Evangelist

-St. Andrew the Apostle

-St. Monica

-St. Edith Stein

-St. Maximillian Kolbe

-St. Jerome

-St. Gertrude

-St. Margaret Mary

Last year for Christmas, a friend gave me a cooking with saints throughout the year cookbook. It's a wonderful gift and I love looking through it and reading the anecdotes of saints mentioned and what dish goes with them according to their region or something from their life. I've made a few different recipes and I love that its not just cooking delicious food and new flavors to try, but also connecting with the saints in a fun and unique way!

May the Saints continue to inspire and help us on our way to Christ! May their faith, conviction and good deeds encourage us with all the graces we need.