What is This Saint of the Year Devotion All About?


This isn't superstition. St. Faustina and her religious order did the same thing!

I would like to explain to you about the practice of picking a saint at random to be your “holy protector and intercessor” for the year. Actually, the saint is the one who chooses us though.The tradition of letting a saint “pick you,”is not a new one. St. Faustina wrote about it in her diary, "Divine Mercy in My Soul".
The excerpt is below. . .

“There is a custom among us of drawing by lot, on New Year's Day, special Patrons for ourselves for the whole year. In the morning, during meditation, there arose within me a secret desire that the Eucharistic Jesus be my special Patron for this year also, as in the past. But, hiding this desire from my Beloved, I spoke to Him about everything else but that. When we came to refectory for breakfast, we blessed ourselves and began drawing our patrons. When I approached the holy cards on which the names of the patrons were written, without hesitation I took one, but I didn't read the name immediately as I wanted to mortify myself for a few minutes. Suddenly, I heard a voice in my soul: ‘I am your patron. Read.’ I looked at once at the inscription and read, ‘Patron for the Year 1935 - the Most Blessed Eucharist.’ My heart leapt with joy, and I slipped quietly away from the sisters and went for a short visit before the Blessed Sacrament,where I poured out my heart. But Jesus sweetly admonished me that I should be at that moment together with the sisters. I went immediately in obedience to the rule.”

Excerpt from "Divine Mercy in My Soul, the Diary of St. Faustina"

Sunday, February 17, 2013

First Sunday of Lent
Noah: A Creation Covenant

Year A: Genesis 2:7–9, 3:1–7;
Psalm 51:3–4, 5–6, 12–13, 17;
Romans 5:12–19;
Matthew 4:1–11

Year B: Genesis 9:8–15;
Psalm 25:4–5, 6–7, 8–9;
1 Peter 3:18–22;
Mark 1:12–15

Year C: Deuteronomy 26:4–10;
Psalm 91:1–2, 10–11, 12–13, 14–15;
Romans 10:8–13;
Luke 4:1–13  

Author’s Note: The Old Testament readings for the lenten Sundays in all three cycles present the history of salvation, one of the teaching themes of Lent. I’ve chosen a figure from the Old Testament for several of these Sundays to assist you in your lenten prayer.  
 
We can’t help but look at Noah through the lens of our modern sense of what’s acceptable behavior. Building an ark in your neighborhood is probably not calculated to win the approval of your neighbors. Comedian Bill Cosby, as well as the film Evan Almighty, saw the potential for humor in the story of Noah.
 
In reality, though, Noah’s response to God’s call is seen by the scriptural text as an act of faith. The risk Noah took, whatever his neighbors thought about his strange building project, made possible the display of God’s care for Noah and his family. It also helped introduce the biblical theme of covenant. Following the flood, God makes a promise never to destroy his creation again by a flood (apocalyptic filmmakers, take note!). God’s promise takes the form of a “covenant,” a promise on God’s part, which in turn calls forth a response on the part of humanity. Creation on God’s part is an act of love, and the covenant with Noah reinforces that love.
 
The notion of covenant will surface again and again, until we hear it at the Last Supper. Jesus will offer us his Blood, poured out in a new covenant of love, helping to make each of us a new creation in Christ.  

Today’s Action
 
Step out today to observe God’s creation and make your own covenant response to help protect that creation.  
 
Prayer
 
God of the covenant, stretch your rainbow above us as a sign of your faithfulness. In the beauty of creation may we see your love written large and make a response of faith, with your help. Amen.
 
Friedman O.F.M., Greg (2011-11-30). Lent With the Saints: Daily Meditations (pp. 9-10). St. Anthony Messenger Press Books. Kindle Edition.
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