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"

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Thursday of the First Week of Lent
Queen Esther: A Royal Request

Esther C:12, 14–16, 23–25;
Psalm 138:1–2ab, 2cde–3, 7c–8;
Matthew 7:7–12  

The tale of Queen Esther has all the elements of a great story. We can imagine her, the beautiful bride of a pagan king, ruler of Persia, reigning in a lavish Middle Eastern court. Into this scene of elegance and splendor comes a threat to Esther’s kin—the Jewish people who are exiled in her land.

The drama, essential to any good story, develops as the king’s advisor, Haman, is angered by the refusal of Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, to bow down to Haman in the court. In revenge, Haman plots to destroy all the Jews in the land.

When Esther learns of the plot, she risks her life to go to the king, her husband, and plead on behalf of her people, after praying the prayer found in our First Reading. Her prayers, and her pleas to the king, are answered positively, and the Jews in Persia are saved.

The Gospel follows with the simple assurance given us by Jesus about our prayer. “Ask, and it will be given to you; search and the door will be opened for you” (Matthew 7:7).

It’s a promise based on a relationship, the relationship of Jesus to his Father, a relationship that we’re invited to share.

Today’s Action

Reflect on Jesus’ words about how God, our loving parent, treats us. Then write a prayer of petition for some special need.  

Prayer

Generous Father, may we believe what Jesus has told us about your willingness to hear our prayer. May we never fear to ask, seek, and knock, confident in your love. Amen.

Friedman O.F.M., Greg (2011-11-30). Lent With the Saints: Daily Meditations (p. 18). St. Anthony Messenger Press Books. Kindle Edition.
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