The Solemnity of All Saints

All Saints Day

 All Saints Day is a day dedicated to celebrate all holy men and women. The Solemnity of All Saints is when the Church honours every saint, known and unknown. Although, we have information on many saints, and they are honoured on specific days, there are many unknown, forgotten or never been honoured specially. On All Saints Day, we celebrate these holy individuals, and ask for their prayers and intercessions.

 There are thousands of canonized saints that are officially recognized by the Catholic Church as holy men and women worthy to be our patrons and role models. These Saints have been associated with miracles, and their lives have been fully examined and found holy by the Catholic Church, we are assured that they a excellent examples of holiness, and powerful intercessors before God on our behalf.

 There are many patron saints, of different areas and states of life. For example, St. Vitus is the patron saint against oversleeping, as he was known for waking up early. Another example is,Saint Expeditus is the patron saint against procrastination and emergency cases. It may sound odd to have a patron saint against oversleeping, but keep in mind the Church has something meaningful for every area of our human lives.

                                          

 Firstly, “patron saints” simply means the protecting or guiding saint of a person or place.Therefore, a patron saint will protect us, pray for us and guide us to the correct part to achieving Heaven and all its graces. Asking for the intercession of Saints, does not mean that we cannot approach God directly, instead it is like asking a friend to pray for you and in this case your friend is already in Heaven and closer to God.

 

St. Gianna's Grotto, Archdiocesse of Regina

A very familiar question asked by many non Catholics is; Do Catholics worship the Saints?Well, the answer is NO. We do not worship the Saints, rather we ask them to pray for us and with us and since, the Saints already showed signs of holiness and were very prayerful while on Earth, just imagine what more they can do now when they’re in Heaven. So, that is just exactly what we do, we ask for recommendation of our problems to God as they live in His Kingdom now and will send our petitions to God easily. But why do we keep their statues and pictures one might ask? Well, that’s easy to answer, just as how we keep a picture of our best friend,  spouse, or family member, in the same way we keep the pictures and statues of Saints. Because we love them and want to see their face and because they help us so much by praying with us and for us for every problem we are faced with. We also buy them flowers, decorate their pictures and dedicate special areas in home or in Church to place their statues. And just like we celebrate and adore our loved ones on their Birthdays, we also celebrate and adore our Patron Saints Feast Days!

  

Statue of St. Cajetan

  We do all this because we respect, love and like someone very much. 
For example, if your family or friend prayed so hard for you to get a job and you actually got a job through their intercession, I’m sure you’ll buy them some flowers, a present or cook them some dinner as sign of saying “thank you”.Therefore, we do not worship the Saints, but we treat them just as we would treat our friends and families, the only difference is that the Saints are already in God’s Kingdom. 

 

 

Your family in heaven awaits you!

How to choose a Patron Saint for BAPTISM,CONFIRMATION, or  DAILY LIFE

There are many ways in choosing a Patron Saint. But the most important thing is to allow the Holy Spirit to work more fully when we cooperate with God’s grace. To do this, we must keep an open mind and heart, and prayerfully listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

1.YOUR VOCATION OR STATION IN LIFE:

Perhaps you are married and find it difficult in conceiving a child? A mother who just lost her child? or A mother with a child who strays away? You may be a father who has lost your job and is struggling to provide for your family.

A single person praying for God to bring you a holy, Catholic spouse? or A Youth struggling with life’s daily pressures? Are you experiencing a call to the religious life? Consider the saints who are patrons of these beautiful vocations and others.

Examples:  St. Gerard Majella is the patron saint of expectant mothers, St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers, St.Anne is the patron of finding a Spouse, Blessed Chiara Luce Badano patron of Youths, and many more saints.

   
2. YOUR OCCUPATION OR FIELD OF STUDY:

Through the work we do we can find ways to evangelize. There will be times when everything seems trying or a burden, it is in these moments that we offer it back to God in love. There is a patron saint for every occupation you can imagine. Some occupations have more than one patron saint. From accountants to zoo-keepers, there is an intercessor for us all.

Examples: St. Apollonia is the patron saint dentist, St. Nicholas of Tolentine is the patron saint of mariners, St. Tatiana of Rome is the patron saint for students, and so on.

 3. YOUR HOBBIES or SPECIAL INTEREST

Saints are the patrons for particular causes including it could be anything, from sports, to hobbies, to areas of interest in the world around us.We can invoke their help and feel close to them because of shared personal characteristics, hobbies and interests.

Examples: St. Therese of the Child Jesus is the patron saint of gardeners, St. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians, and many more.

4. YOUR CURRENT LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES

Are you unemployed? Looking for your lost car keys? Are diagnosed with Cancer? Preparing for travel? There is a saint who is waiting to intercede for you in whatever you are experiencing today. Sometimes the life stories of the saints include incidents that result in their patronage. When we can identify with these details and shared situations, we feel a kinship or closeness to a particular saint.

Examples: St. Cajetan is the patron saint of the unemployed, St. Christopher for travel, St. Anthony of Padua for lost cases, St. Gianna is the patron saint for mothers, St. Peregrine is the patron saint for Cancer and so on.

Finally, the most important thing of all, is to pray and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit when you being to consider a Patron Saint. Once you develop a relationship with a saint or with many saints, your pray life will change and you’ll experience richness in faith and pray you have never before.

  

Prayer to One's Patron Saint

O Heavenly Patron, in whose name I glory, pray ever to God for me: strengthen me in my faith; establish me in virtue; guard me in the conflict; that I may vanquish the foe malign and attain to glory everlasting. Amen.