Last weekend, during my marathon of meetings, I met some saints!
I didn’t know it at first because they looked like ordinary people sitting around a table and drinking coffee. During the course of the meeting, I got to know them better. I heard their stories–and realized that I was in the presence of holiness.
One guy, a successful professional, talked about his family. He and his wife, grateful for the opportunities they’ve had in life, wanted to give back by helping others. One way was to work with not-for-profit organizations who seek to help people at the margins of society. He does that.
In addition, he and his wife have reached out to a struggling single mother with two young children. They are helping the family meet day-to-day expenses and get an education for a better future. They are a source of encouragement and support for the family. He spoke of this with the kind of humility that comes out of deep gratitude.
As All Saints Day approaches, I invite you to share stories about the everyday saints you meet. Write a few lines about them in the comment box below, and throughout this week, we’ll keep them especially in our prayers.
Join us on All Saints Day this Thursday for a special “Litany of the Saints” prayer podcast. And check out our website for other events during our annual Fall Fun!Raiser.
Join the A Nun’s Life community for prayer this evening at 6 p.m. CT at A Nun’s Life. Your presence is a gift!
Archived Comments
- October 29, 2012 at 12:09 pm
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Growing up, “Uncle Bill” was a volunteer in my parish youth ministry program, both when his own kids were in middle and high school and afterward. He truly shows the face of Christ to everyone he meets. I often think of the mission trip we want on, when UB rolled down his window while driving through a field in South Dakota. While still driving, he reached his hand out of the window and one by one picked a large sunflower for every student in the car. He has now become Uncle Bill to decades of youth growing up in our parish. Please pray for UB!
- October 30, 2012 at 3:45 pm
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He sounds like a wonderful man, Taylor. Maybe he’s the patron saint of sunflower growers!
- October 29, 2012 at 12:18 pm
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My saints among us are friends of mine who found out that their much awaited son would have a very brief life due to a medical condition. They showed all of us the meaning of pro-life by carrying this child until his birth, birthing this child, sharing in his brief 1-hour of life, and then going through the death and burrial. They displayed for everyone willing to pay attention the most tremendous faith during the most trying circumstances and profound, profound, gratitude for all who have held them in prayer and in practical ways during this most difficult time. As well as profound gratitude to God for his blessings, love, and all that he has taught them during this time.
- October 30, 2012 at 3:48 pm
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That is a beautiful story, Jody. We pray that all babies may be born into a world where such great love welcomes them!
- October 29, 2012 at 2:49 pm
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I was part of the same story Jody is telling here. And there were many saints in that particular story.
I have a saint-friend at home in Washington. Her name is Betty Soderlind. She is 93 years old. She has lived in my town since her marriage many, many years ago – 75??
She and three women friends founded services for the poor in that town: the Food Bank, the Clothing Bank, Disaster Relief Fund. In the last 20 years, the three have shared a building which they were able to obtain. Betty is the last one living. She is also the “mother” of our parish. When she came here as a bride, there was no Catholic church. Now there is Saint Anne’s, with a resident priest. She has been been responsible for dozens of conversions. For many years she was the only one who gave instructions in Catholic faith here. Then she pulled together an RCIA team. Only in the last 3 or 4 years has she given up working on that team. Her hearing and some speech problems made it impossible for her to converse adequately with others. She has prayed for people, sent letters of encouragement (and admonishment , at times!) and shows up at the door of the church every time the door opens. For years she walked to church. Even when she had to use a walker. She has never driven a car. Now she must depend on others to drive her over and help her get her walker in and out of the car. But she is a true Servant of God and a Saint-in-the-making. I am privileged to have known her now for 38 years. She is a truly self-less person who was married more than 50 years, raised 6 children, and has led a life centered on Christ. - October 30, 2012 at 3:50 pm
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What a remarkable woman, Marsha! Thank you for sharing her story!
