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!
Venerable Edel Quinn
Edel Quinn was born in County Cork, Ireland in 1907. Her early life was filled with daily Mass, music, sports, and a joyful family. She learned about the lay movement called the Legion of Mary, intent on outreach and works of mercy to the community. She became involved and tended to women in their darkest times, reaching out to women working as prostitutes while keeping up daily Adoration and all fifteen mysteries of the Rosary.
Despite tuberculosis, she went on to answer the call to evangelize in Africa. She traveled all throughout East Africa to form lay leaders so they could minister to their communities. Stories are told of her creaky old car sounding out into the still African night, en route to a mission station.
She believed in showing up, repeatedly, despite her weakened health, to nurture and tend to those who needed to hear the healing balm of the Gospel. Her devotion to Our Lord and Lady was evidenced by her generous yes to sharing the kingdom. She died in Africa in 1944.
Not only did she visit the sick while being sick herself, but she brought the Gospel truth to those who needed spiritual birth. May we be unafraid to be generous in our “yes” to Our Lord and His Mother as they ask us to visit the sick in our lives.
Friends with Saints Series // Edel Quinn #BISblog //Click to tweet
Venerable Edel Quinn, pray for us!
Enjoying this litany of new friends? We have them here on the perfect ceramic mug for you!
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