We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers. -Catechism of the Catholic Church, 962
A few years ago, I was driving with some friends from Austria to Italy to attend a soccer game. We spent most of our drive talking about the Saints in Heaven and what a gift from God they are to us here on earth.
As we entered into Milan, my friend said something to me that struck me so deeply. He said, “Claire, we have to make the Saints our best friends.” That sentence radically changed my life. I had always loved the Saints–I enjoyed learning about them, I tried to imitate them, and I often asked their intercession–yet I never thought about making them my friends, let alone my best friends.
From that moment on, I asked my favorite saints to become my dearest, best friends. And since that moment, my life has changed in a profoundly, beautiful way.
Making the Saints Our Best Friends
After the conversation with my friend, I began to research my favorite Saints. I read their biographies, their quotes, and first-hand accounts of their lives. I desired to know the details of their life, especially how they achieved their heavenly goal. In my searching, I discovered a richness of beauty in the lives of the Saints. Each Saint I learned about was profoundly unique–yet so intrinsically connected to one another in their love for Christ.
Then, one day, I simply just asked some of my favorite Saints to be present with me throughout my day, to be my best friends. I asked them to be with me in my joys, sufferings, loneliness, anxieties, and peace. I asked them to accompany me to Mass, to be with me during difficult conversations, and to work alongside me when I served my patients as a nurse. Immediately, I felt their presence in my life.
The Saints Accompany Us Through Life's Seasons
Now, as a mother, I need the friendships of the Saints in a new way. In the past I had asked them to be with me in my loneliness of singlehood. Now I ask them to be present with me during the lonely hours in the middle of the night, rocking my son to sleep. Where I had asked them to be with me as I studied for exams in college, I now ask them to be present with me as I cook, clean, and care for my family.
I am confident of their intercession, love, fidelity, and presence. I know they are championing for me as I tend to all of the tasks and duties of my vocation with care and grace, so that I may one day be with them in Heaven.
5 Saints Who Were Moms
Here are five Saints who were mothers, and a quote by each of them with a prayer asking for their intercession. Turn to these incredible women and ask them to become your dearest friends.
If you are a woman who is a mother, yearning to be a mother, lost children, miscarried, wants more children, pregnant, or desire to be pregnant, ask these Saints in heaven to be with you–in your joy, your pain, your suffering, your excitement, or your grief. Ask for their friendship and for their intercession.
These women have fought the good fight of faith, they have run the race, and they now wear a beautiful crown in Heaven. There is a crown waiting for you, too. Let us ask these women in heaven to help us reach our Heavenly home.
Mother Mary
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your word.
Mother Mary, teach me to proclaim, “yes” to your Son each day. Please allow me to carry Jesus deep within my heart and always share Him with others.
Saint Monica
One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be.
Saint Monica, you know the pain that often accompanies love. Please be with me in my sorrows and in my grief. Teach me to intercede for others and in turn ask for intercession for myself, just as you did. Please help lead me to the joy of the Resurrection each day.
Saint Marie-Azélie Martin
I am with you all day in spirit. I love you with all my heart, and I feel my affection doubled by being deprived of your company. I could not live apart from you. (from a letter to her husband, Saint Louis Martin)
Saint Marie-Azélie, please be with me as I always seek to love those around me with the deep, profound love of Christ. Jesus said that there is no greater love than to lay my life down for my friends (John 15:13). Please be with me as I lay my life down for others today–help me to love fearlessly and vulnerably–just as Christ loves me. Christ holds out His Sacred Heart to each of us, Saint Marie-Azélie, help me to do the same to all those I encounter today!
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
One earns Paradise with one’s daily task.
Saint Gianna, please be present with me in my daily tasks and help reveal Christ to me in my vocation. Sometimes I feel that my day is mundane, please be with me as I offer up each task to Christ. May everything I do bring greater glory to Him.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.
Saint Elizabeth, help me to live a holy life. Please intercede on my behalf as I strive to place all of my confidence and trust in the mercy of God. I desire holiness; I yearn to behold our Heavenly Father. Teach me to always turn to Christ, both in joy and difficulty. Please be with me today, and always.