Follow the Saints

Ellen Mongan shares 11 ways we, along with our families, can follow the saints and become more holy.

What is the greatest commandment? My husband, Deacon Patrick, read aloud, the commandment:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31).

Then he added “It is attainable.”

I smiled and then quickly replied, “Only if you are a saint.” The saints were men, women, and children from all over the world who had an extraordinary love for Jesus and their fellow man. Their lives teach us and inspire us to do the same. 

What is a saint?

The Catechism says we are all called to be saints. Saints are in heaven because they lived a life of heroic virtue, offered their lives for others, or martyred for their faith. They are worthy of imitation, whether or not they have been officially canonized. They are a "cloud of witnesses" who pray with us and for us, witnesses who bring us to Jesus Christ and remind us that holiness can exist in our lives. 

Why did God make me? The old Baltimore Catechism answers that question. God made me to know Him, love Him, serve Him, and be happy one day in heaven with Him. Imitating the saints is one way we can do that. 

Eleven ways to imitate the saints

1. When a family member loses something, pray as a family for the intercession of Saint Anthony. Remind the family that Saint Anthony is the patron saint of lost items. One familiar Catholic prayer goes like this: “St. Anthony, St. Anthony, look around; something is lost and must be found.”
   
   
2. Read about the saint of the day at the dinner table each evening. Discuss how you can be more like this saint. Then ask for this saint to intercede for your family. You may want to buy a book about Saints like Anne Eileen Heffernan's 57 Stories of Saints.
   
   
3. As an alternative to a Halloween costume, dress up as one of your favorite saints instead.
   
   
4. Celebrate the feast day of your child’s patron saint by baking a cake and telling a little about their patron saint at the dinner table.
   
   
5. Discuss with the family why the Church declared people saints. How does someone become a saint?
   
   
6. Read the book You Can Become a Saint by Mary Ann Budnick or Parents of the Saints by Patrick O’Hearn.
   
   
7. Read The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin with your spouse or family.
   
   
8. Teach your children to walk in virtue, thus forming their character. You must form yours, too. A great resource is Spiritual Diary, which includes selected sayings and examples from the saints.
   
   
9. Instruct your children about the Catholic faith, guide them, and encourage them to frequent the sacraments. Let them ask questions.
   
   
10. Choose Secret Saints: Put each family member's name in a hat when Advent starts. Then, each person picks a name from the hat (not their own) and tells no one who they picked. During the Advent Season, do acts of kindness to the person whose name you picked. Do them in secret because that is half the fun! The other half is guessing who picked whom! For example, one family member leaves the room to use the bathroom, and they return to find their bed miraculously made. Who did it? It could only be the work of the secret saint! This tradition builds family and helps everyone grow in the fruit of kindness. Even a 2-year-old can join in the fun if you explain secret saint in toddler vocabulary (Of course, it is tough for them to keep a secret.)
    
    
11.  Learn the peace prayer (sometimes called the Prayer of Saint Francis) as a family. Then, choose a line each week to put into practice as a family. 

I went before the Lord with a heart-wrenching question one day. “Lord, I have been a Catholic school girl, a charismatic, a contemplative, and more? I am so confused. How do I follow you, Jesus?”

Immediately, Jesus said, “Follow the saints!’’ Instantly, I understood. The saints were examples of being poor in spirit, meek, righteous, merciful, and pure of heart in their lifetime. They are very important examples for us, especially as our culture turns away from God. 

We can be encouraged by these words, attributed to Saint Dominic Savio: “Ask Jesus to make you a saint; after all, He is the only one who could do that.” 

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Copyright 2024 Ellen Mongan
Images: Canva