St. Paul has been my favorite saint since I was a child. I remember hearing the story of his life and his persecution of Christians. God intervened and, after his conversion, St. Paul became one of the most influential missionaries of the early church. His conversion inspires me because, no matter what our sin is, God offers us forgiveness and redemption. He is alway there for us.
My favorite saint is St. Rita! She always seems to be a kind intercessor. St. Rita lived, I believe, in the late 14th century and wanted to be a nun as a young girl. Her parents, however, arranged a marriage for her with a man who was abusive to her and their children. She prayed for him constantly. He was stabbed by enemies of his and repented before passing away. Rita then became a nun. Lots more to the story but suffice it to say St. Rita is one of my most favorite saints!
My favorite saint? St. Monica, of course! There are so many others that I love, but St. Monica has been special to me since I was a little girl – and that was a long time ago! It is believed that St. Monica, through her love, prayers and tears brought about the conversion of her son – the wonderful St. Augustine. Let’s hear it for the prayers of mothers!!!
Today is one of my favorite saint’s day … St. John Vianney… I had no idea who St. John Vianney (SJV) was when I entered the seminary back in 1990, but boy did I find out fast!
SJV was a 19th century priest from the village of Ars in France. He was known as the Cure Ars. He was a very holy and spiritual man and it is told that he used to hear confessions for 12-15 hours a day. He was so gifted in understanding and guiding the penitents that people used to come from all over to celebrate the sacrament with him.
Why was he part of the seminary experiecne so early on in my formation and many other prospective priests? Because he was a struggling student in the seminary and he almost was not ordained to the priesthood because of it.
When a seminarian is struggling with academics and the work load in the seminary and wondering if they are actually cut out for the ministry, good ole’ Saint John Mary Vianney is often mentioned and the student is reminded that he is not studying to be a seminarian but a holy priest of God. That is a calling from God and the seminary is the means to ordination not the ends. So work hard, do the best you can and make sure that the spiritual part of formation receives the necessary attention because ultimately that is where the true service to the Lord is nurtured.
So, thank you St. John Vianney and Happy Feast Day!
Andrea Woronick, and 
Chuck Scott 10:16 AM on August 31, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I’ll second that for the prayers of mothers … mothers make the world go around – literally … which reminds me of some Native American cultures that used to have (maybe they still do) the Council of Grandmothers and that council had the final say with regards to going to war or not … so if in the Long House the men voted to go to war, they would then have to get the nod to go ahead from the Council of Grandmothers … the thinking apparently was that only women know the pain and miracle of giving birth thus only those who know such should be the ones then that permit the course of actions to take lives born of other mothers … too bad the Beltway doesn’t have a corresponding honored Council but i digresss
Andrea Woronick 8:01 PM on August 31, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
What a wise man to recognize the wisdom of women
)! You go Chuck! By the way…St. Joseph is way up there on my list as well!