Today is my birthday.

When I was growing up, I used to think the best birthday gift I received every year was that every single person at my Catholic elementary, middle, and high schools attended Mass on my birthday. What a gift—everybody celebrating the Lord and loving Him on my special day!

As I got older, however, I realized that another birthday gift that is so special and dear to me is the friendship and guidance I find in the Saints, who have become role models in my own life. And how special it is that I get to share my birthday with them!

Befriending the Saints

If you’re anything like little Liz, however, the Saints might not have made much sense to you growing up.

Who were these amazing, seemingly untouchable people who got to go to Heaven while I was stuck down here on Earth? How could they be so close to the Lord and so faithful to Him?

I didn’t get it.

How could they be so perfect? And how was I supposed to talk to them, let alone become more like them?

I now know that the Saints weren’t just these “perfect people” who got to go to Heaven while I didn’t. Rather, they were very human Catholics who failed, sinned, and tried again to make the Lord the center of their lives. They saw honoring God as the most important thing that they could do, and they lived accordingly. And the best news? Their goal in Heaven is to help us get there too.

All Saints’ Day reminds us that we all have the gift of the Saints’ friendship and companionship as we make our own way to Heaven.

As we celebrate this beautiful day honoring the Communion of Saints, here are five ways to connect deeply with the Saints and see them as friends and advocates in our daily lives.

1. Pick Up Saintly Literature

There are so many works of literature the Saints have blessed us with over the years. Their writings introduce us to their ways of life and offer inspiration for pursuing holiness, especially in times of struggle. Some of my favorites are The Story of a Soul by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Ávila, and The Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross.

Books about Saints can be just as powerful. A Saint a Day offers a daily opportunity to connect with a Saint on their feast day, while My Sisters the Saints is an incredible memoir describing a woman’s journey towards a sisterhood of many female Saints.

2. Meet Your Birthday Saint

Another way to befriend a Saint is to find your birthday Saint—the Saint whose feast day falls on your birthday. 

Look up which Saint you share your special day with, and spend some time getting to know them. Invite your birthday Saint into your life, and every year, you’ll have the opportunity to celebrate your friendship anew.

3. Find a Saint for Your Everyday Life

When I was in high school, my teachers had us pray for the intercession of Saint Thomas Aquinas before every exam or major assignment. As the patron Saint of students, schools, colleges, and universities, he guided us throughout the school year, and I’m not sure any of us would have graduated without him!

In the same way, I encourage us all to get to know the patron Saints associated with our daily tasks and interests. If you’re a mother struggling with breastfeeding, you can turn to Our Lady of Le Leche or Saint Bernard, the patron Saint of lactation. If you’re a car mechanic or need help with your vehicle, try reaching out to Saint Eligius.

When it comes to hobbies, many sports come with a built-in heavenly coach: soccer (Saint Luigi Scrosoppi); ballet (Saint Vitus); swimming (Saint Adjutor); and even running (Saint Sebastian). Those who sew can find companionship in Saint Tabitha, and fans of space and astronomy can connect with Saint Dominic. Whatever your days look like, there’s a Saint waiting to join you in them.

4. Choose a Saint to Walk With This Year

My mother and her Regnum Christi team go on an annual end-of-year retreat where they randomly choose a virtue to focus on and a Saint to befriend in the coming year. Some years, they’ve opened up the retreat to family members, and the last time I attended, I grew in friendship with a Saint who changed my life.

I encourage everyone to choose a Saint to walk with toward Christ each year—whether by choosing someone at random or picking someone you’ve been interested in getting to know better. You never know which Saint might change your year for the better.

5. Ask a Friend to Introduce You to a Saint

Lastly, ask a friend to recommend a Saint who changed their life and whom you’d love to get to know yourself. 

One of my childhood best friends introduced me to the quiet powerhouse that is Saint Josephine Bakhita and shared her story of resilience with me. From then on, whenever I need a friend to encourage me in times of sorrow and uncertainty, I remember Saint Josephine and ask for her intercession.

The Gift of Heavenly Friendship

The beautiful thing about befriending the Saints is that we don’t have to do everything all at once. We can start with one Saint whose story draws us closer to Jesus. We can invite them into our everyday lives and ask them for help as we strive to grow in holiness.

What a gift it is to know that we have such saintly friends cheering us on toward Heaven!