We probably can all remember our parents telling us to choose our friends wisely, and now, decades later, we may find ourselves repeating the same thing to our children. I can recall several conversations with my own children about the peers they choose to be around and the impact it has on their decisions. Whether we realize it or not, we become like the people we surround ourselves with, both in virtue and in vice.
In a conversation with a very wise and holy religious sister, she very casually referenced her seven special friends. Her friends who were always there for her, friends she could rely on and who would assist her, especially in times of trouble and need. Curious, who these seven friends may be she explained that I could also have similar friends. So she began naming her dear friends, on the list were God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, her Baptismal saint and her Confirmation saint. Without hesitation, from small trials to impossible tribulations, she would call on her team of friends and special helpers.
The past couple of weeks, I have been listening to my son discuss and discern a Confirmation saint. Researching and reading about their life, the heroic virtue they lived, and what they are known as the patron of. The richness and beauty of the Church is filled with men, women and children from all walks of life, background and circumstances. From kings and queens to the poorest of the poor. The well-known and famous to the most unseen, from every corner of the globe. In their moment of history they chose Christ and virtue above all else. Some having been raised in the faith while others having great and profound conversions.
So, who are your friends? Perhaps, you never chose a Confirmation saint or have given much thought to your Baptismal name. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and to inspire you as you put together your team of helpers who are always ready at a moment’s notice to aid you in your journey. You may even find yourself surprised by a saint who picks you.
St. Benedict of Nursia was born around 480. After witnessing the vice unravelling around him, he fled to the mountains to live a life of prayer and solitude. He founded a monastery and instructions on religious life that are known today as the Rule of St. Benedict. The St. Benedict medal was first made in the 1880s to commemorate the anniversary of St. Benedict’s birth. It is today one of the most popular medals in the Church, with spiritual benefits and powerful spiritual protection associated with it.
During our Give Hope Pledge Drive, when you give at the $1200 level, you will receive a St. Benedict Crucifix. This unique design combines a Crucifix with a Saint Benedict Medal. It is a powerful symbol of protection against evil and a reminder of Christ’s love and victory over all. The St. Benedict Crucifix would make a perfect gift for confirmands and those graduating from high school and college, to equip them with spiritual protection for their journey.
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