Close Friends

 

I love this painted image of modern day blesseds and saints. My dear sister gave it to me after one of our visits and I have put it up on my wall and look at it often. I immediately noticed after looking at it yesterday that a few of these blesseds or saints were so close and relevant to me. I was wearing Fulton Sheen socks, reading a booklet about Bl. Pier Giorgio, and started reading a book about St. Pope John Paul II (who was also my patron saint last year) yesterday. Actually, all of them are relevant in some way or another. 

From left, Saint Mother Teresa. I want to reread the beautiful and enriching book, 'Come be my light', as its on my bookshelf. St. Josemaria, well there's so much to say. His birthday was yesterday, and his feast day is on my birthday! I am reading through a book about the start of Opus Dei and have ordered a few others regarding him or the Work. I also often look at the Opus Dei website for spiritual enrichment and encouragement. 

St. Edith Stein looks like she's right next to him. I read a great book regarding her writings on women. It was really beautiful and powerful. Venerable Fulton Sheen, I have socks of him, like I said. I love his books and his writings as well as his powerful way of speaking on his radio show. I want to read more from him!

Next to Saint Pope John Paul II is St. Gianna Molla. I love her and her story. I felt especially connected and comforted to her last year, and read books about her, have a prayer card of her on my desk and made my screen saver on my computer of a quote of hers. Chiara Portrillo Corbello has an amazing story and have read the book about her. 

St. Padre Pio, I have prayer cards of him around, and find his priestly devotion, stigmata and sufferings, his witness and holiness always so beautiful, powerful and enriching. And St. Bakhita, is a saint I don't know too much besides she is the first saint who was an African slave. I know her feast day is February 8th and is the due date of my soon to be newborn nephew, Isaac! Also, every time I enter into the chapel, I see her picture up- a relic. Now, I want to learn more about her and her story. 

How close these saints are to us, their stories, their struggles, their ambitions and faithfulness and devout life pleasing to God. Even amidst the ordinary, they are here. They are cheering us on, they understand and make things light and full of hope. How glad I am to have friends who are so close.