I suppose I’m not alone when I say that while I love all our wonderful Catholic Saints, I do have a short list of those that truly are my favorite and I frequently call upon them to pray for me in difficult times. The following is my list of favorite Saints.
St. John Vianney
If you read my About page, you’ll have noticed I mentioned St. John Vianney following my wife and I around Europe in the summer of 2009. Every Catholic Church, Basilica or Cathedral we visited that summer (and we visited many) we would see a statue of the Cure d’Ars. Upon returning home to Denver after the 2+ weeks in Belgium, my wife and I both had a strong desire to seek out a local Catholic Parish and begin attending Mass. The following Sunday, we attended St. Thomas More Church and upon walking in to the church for the first time, low and behold there was a painting of St. John Vianney. I looked at my wife and said, “He followed us home”. I enrolled in the St. Thomas More RCIA class which began the following Sunday and began the process of becoming Catholic. I hope to one day visit Ars, France and pray before the shrine of this amazing saint.
St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher
I absolutely love history, always have. Over the years and even to this very day, my favorite part of history and what I read the most about is Medieval and post-Medieval history of England and Europe. For many years I’ve studied the life of both St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher and the sacrifices both made during the reign of King Henry VIII. It should also come as no surprise that the Catholic parish I initially joined was in the namesake of St. Thomas More. I have visited Tower Hill in London many times and prayed near the location where they were both executed.
St. Maximilian Kolbe
I first learned about St. Maximilian Kolbe as I discovered he is the Patron Saint of Amateur Radio Operators and he himself held an amateur radio license with the call sign of SP3RN. As I also hold an amateur radio license, he became one of my favorite saints. During the final exam to reach the top-tier US license class (called Amateur Extra), I placed his prayer card in my pocket and asked him to keep me calm and clear headed during the exam. I passed the exam with one of the highest scores of the session. Earlier this year, I read 33 Days to Morning Glory in preparation for my Marian Consecration. Upon completion, I joined the Militia of the Immaculata which was founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe in 1917.
St. Francis of Assisi
One of the first books I read from G. K. Chesterton was on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. His love and the caring nature he exhibited towards animals and nature in general is what makes this saint truly stand out among all the others. Being an animal lover myself, the example in which St. Francis of Assisi lived is one I strive to do my best to imitate on a daily basis. As I was born on 4 October, the feast day of St. Francis I feel a very close connection to this remarkable saint.
St. John Paul II
I remember when JPII began his Papacy, The summer of 1978 I had spent some time visiting my grandparents and remember hearing on television about the death of Paul VI and the short-lived Papacy of John Paul I. Over the long period of time which St. John Paul II served as Pope I had read much about the Catholic Church and realized that one day I wanted to become Catholic. While it would be a few years after his death that I would begin my journey, I believe it was the Papacy of JPII which truly planted the seed.
Well there you have six of my favorite Catholic Saints. Of course, there are many, many others that I call upon from time to time when I believe they can help me in my time of need. Who are your “go-to” Saints? Leave a comment and let me know.
Until next time…
Fratus tuus in Christo,
Jerry