Friendship, as has been said, consists in a full commitment of the will to another person with a view to that person's good.
-Pope Saint John Paul II
Friendships feed our souls in a very particular way. During these times of social distancing, fall out from a global pandemic, and the ensuring separation we've experienced from our friends and family, we have a special place to turn to for friendship.
The holy women of our Catholic Faith: the Saints, the venerables, the servants of God. We have reason to believe through the Church's guidance that these multitude of unique, relatable, remarkable women are worshipping before the throne of God, taking our intentions before Him. They want us to join them in Heaven, after all.
The Saints, Our Friends
We've assembled a grouping of a dozen women who fit this description, lived in the last century or so, and span all walks of life from vocation to nearly every continent, to a plethora of challenges they faced. Eleven are lay women!
The complete discussion of their lives and reflections on how they lived the Works of Mercy out is available in our Misericordia study.
Let's get to know our heavenly friends better and allow a beautiful friendship (or friendships!) to blossom.
Find more companionship with our sister Saints
and be inspired by their Works of Mercy in Misericordia!
Saint Lucy Yi Zhenmei
Saint Lucy was born in Mianyang, China, in 1815. A devout girl from a young age, she made a chastity vow at twelve. She grew in her faith and discipline of prayer after she became very ill at age twenty.
She taught children about the faith in various capacities, not accepting payment but delighted to share her love of it. It was when her mother died that she moved to do missionary work in a country that was strongly anti-Christian. She was forced to return home once again when she fell ill, but in her recovery once more she returned to her missionary work, despite her family’s objections.
When she was forty-seven, she went with a priest to build a new mission in Jiashanlong, but faced terrible persecution. She and four others were murdered because they refused to renounce their faith in 1862. She believed in the Truth and lived it, even in the face of death.
May her example of living without fear of offending sinners inspire us as we gently but honestly share our Faith.
Friends with Saints Series // Lucy Yi Zhenmei #BISblog //Click to tweet
Saint Lucy Yi Zhenmei, pray for us!
Enjoying this litany of new friends? We have them here on the perfect ceramic mug for you!
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