do we choose our st. or do they choose us?

[benidict]

hello fellow Catholics. i have a strong pull toward st. benidict. never have really researched this with others. have talked to my priest. but do you think we chose our patron saint? or does he/she choose us? God bless you and yours.

 

[Rob_Brown]

not sure really, but in an interesting side note I also have a strong pull to St. Benedict, I would really enjoy discussing this further with you. If you would like to feel free to send me a message!

 

[Nine_Two]

I developed an interest in my patron saint (St. Nicholas of Japan) because I already had an interest in Japan. However the more I learned about him the more I liked the attitude he took towards his mission, especially the nativistic aspect of it (the Church has not come to replace the culture of the people, just to give them the Truth of Christ). He is in many ways like St. Tikhon of Moscow, who headed my own local church at one point, but somehow more exotic, plus it gives me an excuse to get back to Tokyo sometime.

I also have a soft spot in my heart for the Catholic St. Francis Xavier for that same association with Japan.

 

[ralphinal]

Both. Sometimes, we see a saint that we like and are drawn to them. Sometimes, God sees something in us that would benefit from seeing a saint in the same way, and he does the rest.

 

[Coco82]

This is a good question. I’m drawn toward specific saints, (researching them) but also open to being directed towards whatever one God sees fit for me.

 

[dzheremi]

As I had already had about 4 years of Russian studies under my belt when it came time to choose my saint, Sts. Cyril and Methodius seemed a natural fit. One of the nice ladies who ran the RCIA program I was in gave me a wooden icon of the pair upon my reception into the Church. She said she went to the local Orthodox book and icon shop with a Russian friend to make sure that she would be getting the right one, as all writing on the icon is in Old Church Slavonic. I’m always happy to do my part to bring Catholics and Orthodox together.

 

[puzzleannie]

hello fellow Catholics. i have a strong pull toward st. benidict. never have really researched this with others. have talked to my priest. but do you think we chose our patron saint? or does he/she choose us? God bless you and yours.

most non-Catholics do not embrace the notion of a personal patron saint, or of a saint who is the patron for a general group, since they are not comfortable with the underlying idea of praying with and to saints. You will find many of us who share your attachment to St. Benedict on the spirituality forum, including those of us who try to follow his rule in daily life as Benedictine Oblates. In general our first patron saint is that of our baptismal name, given to us by our parents, and many people choose another patron when they are confirmed, one whose life and story does resonate or have personal meaning for them. I am Ann obviously, because my father had a devotion to St. Anne de Beaupre, and I chose Joan as a confirmation name because at that stage in my life I admired her unwavering devotion to God as a woman of courage in a man’s world.

 

[benidict]

This is a good question. I’m drawn toward specific saints, (researching them) but also open to being directed towards whatever one God sees fit for me.

thx coco. i personally am drawn toward st. francis of asisi. but i kept running into st. benidict. couldnt get around it, so he became my patron. also being a soldier i ask for the intercession of st. martin of tours. Peace be to you.

 

[benidict]

most non-Catholics do not embrace the notion of a personal patron saint, or of a saint who is the patron for a general group, since they are not comfortable with the underlying idea of praying with and to saints. You will find many of us who share your attachment to St. Benedict on the spirituality forum, including those of us who try to follow his rule in daily life as Benedictine Oblates. In general our first patron saint is that of our baptismal name, given to us by our parents, and many people choose another patron when they are confirmed, one whose life and story does resonate or have personal meaning for them. I am Ann obviously, because my father had a devotion to St. Anne de Beaupre, and I chose Joan as a confirmation name because at that stage in my life I admired her unwavering devotion to God as a woman of courage in a man’s world.

hi i appreciate the invite to the spirituallity forum. will check it out. i started this thread about 2 months ago. funny how things work out Peace to you.

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

I chose St. Anthony the Great (I think most Catholics know him as St. Anthony the Abbot) partially because we had the same first name and it made for an easy transition, however as I studied him more I began to sympathize with him and found a lot of what he struggled with is what I struggled with and still struggle with to this day.

So perhaps God does lead us to the right spiritual leaders in the Church Triumphant.

 

[SHW]

I ask specific saints for their intercession. For instance, I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I ask St. James the Greater for his help since he is the patron saint for arthritis.

I also ask St. Lucy for hers so that I may have good eyesight for as long as I live. My confirmation saint is St. Mary Magdalene so I ask for her intercession so that I will become the person whom God desires me to be.

 

[benidict]

I ask specific saints for their intercession. For instance, I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I ask St. James the Greater for his help since he is the patron saint for arthritis.

I also ask St. Lucy for hers so that I may have good eyesight for as long as I live. My confirmation saint is St. Mary Magdalene so I ask for her intercession so that I will become the person whom God desires me to be.

hi shw. wonderful! i will also ask for intercession for your arthritis. a very good friend of mine suffers from this. has since high school. it has got to be agonizing! you are not alone in your struggle. im sure others here will be joining us. but above all, you will have the strength to bear whatever happens. my friend also is trying some experimental medications. i can get ahold of him and p.m. you if you are interested. God bless you, and may he ease your pain.

 

[Coco82]

There are a handful of saints at the time I’m looking into researching to see who fits my particular circumstances or just saints whose lives interest me. I’ll get back here once i’ve found them.

 

[benidict]

There are a handful of saints at the time I’m looking into researching to see who fits my particular circumstances or just saints whose lives interest me. I’ll get back here once i’ve found them.

i will be very interested to hear what you found. God bless you and yours

 

[SHW]

hi shw. wonderful! i will also ask for intercession for your arthritis. a very good friend of mine suffers from this. has since high school. it has got to be agonizing! you are not alone in your struggle. im sure others here will be joining us. but above all, you will have the strength to bear whatever happens. my friend also is trying some experimental medications. i can get ahold of him and p.m. you if you are interested. God bless you, and may he ease your pain.

Thank you for your intercession! Very kind of you.

None of the drugs (I tried many) helped me until recently. I’ve had RA for about 35 years. First symptoms at age 19 or 20. So, now I use nutritional supplements and also recently added experimental extremely Low Dose Naltrexone (2 mg. every 5 days) which has really helped. Perhaps your friend has heard of this treatment for “immune system” diseases.

Suffering does help me keep my mind on eternal things which is a very good thing, however, I am still always trying to alleviate my suffering.

 

[puzzleannie]

hi i appreciate the invite to the spirituallity forum. will check it out. i started this thread about 2 months ago. funny how things work out Peace to you.

I don’t know if those participating in this discussion are non-Catholic on this forum, but just wanted all to know that there are non-Catholics who become Benedictine Oblates associated with some monasteries, because they are atrracted to Benedictine spirituality, and repeat the invitation to look into it.