Marching With Saints - A Link Up & Giveaway

"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus." 

St. Thérèse de Lisieux

Today is the feast day of St. Thérèse de Lisieux, one of the doctors of the Church and a young saint who has inspired countless others, including Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, I have no doubt. (Not what, but how much love...sound familiar?) As a convert to Catholicism, I am often asked what drew me to the faith, or what I enjoy about Catholicism. While it is a long story with many chapters, one thing that continues to draw me closer into the faith and into the heart of Christ is the communion of saints. 

The Catholic understanding of the communion of saints embraces the reality of an everlasting life, of a kingdom beyond the present day where our living God resides outside of space and time alongside those that have gone before us in His friendship. There reside the saints. I remember the first time I understood what occurred during the Holy Mass, when I understood that it is a moment of time where that breach between heaven and earth is wiped away and the two worlds collide into one. Breathtaking, astounding, incomprehensibly miraculous. What an awesome God we have.

I have an image in my head of what that looks like, but I cannot put it into words that would do it justice. Perhaps a painting for another day. At this point, the only thing I can think of is that moment in Harry Potter when the two wands become engaged and the people that have died come to Harry's aid through that energy. I'm sure that will have just offended someone (or thousands...haha, as though thousands are reading this. Good one.). My apologies - that is just the only image I could put into words.

There are so many stories, so many saints, that a year or two or lifetime of daily study would still never exhaust the roll of saints. We often think of the the big names: the St. Thérèses, the St. Francises, the St. Anthonys. The truth is that each of us is called to be a saint, so when we think of the saints of heaven, think of all the souls God has ever created as potential saints. All were created to be saints. All were created for immortality and eternal life alongside God. We are created for that purpose as well. 

“God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint.” ― St. Thérèse de Lisieux

The saints all provide us with examples of loving God and others selflessly, of serving God and others with joy, of living and proclaiming Christ boldly. As I continue my journey to the kingdom, as I prepare my children to live a life united with Christ, I am so thankful for the communion of saints who give us their example of living and offer their prayers in their new life for our sake.

Through the month of October, I'm inviting you to share your stories about saints who sing to your soul, saints who lead you to a closer union with Christ. (You can read a little bit about some saints who inspire us in the About Us tab.) What's in it for you? Oh, just a little giveaway, and greater inspiration in our daily walk to the kingdom, of course. Remember that Five Favorites where I talked about books I would read if only I could harness enough brain cells and light rays? My sweet as pie Hubs (who writes the Catholic Bibles blog) read my list and bought me a Kindle edition of My Sisters the Saints so I could read in the dark. That leaves me with a brand new hardcover edition to give away to one lucky linker. That's the moral of this story. I can't wait to learn more about what inspires you to love selflessly, serve joyfully and live more boldly! Now go and write! It may be the only thing I read this month!! 

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