Ask a Catholic what his or her favorite time of the Church year is, and many will undoubtedly offer the following: Lent with its many devotions and focus on prayer and fasting; Advent in the excitement of the weeks leading to Christmas; the beautiful solemnity of Holy Week and Easter; or the Marian feast days scattered throughout the year.
For me, however, it’s the first week of October. Yes, really. I know it seems like a weird time of the Church year for one to choose, but I have loved it ever since I was a student in Catholic elementary school. There are so many wonderful saints and feasts to celebrate this week, and each one has had a profound impact on my faith journey.
October 1 – the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux. Often referred to as “the Little Flower,” this young French Carmelite nun from the late 1800s has had a powerful influence in the lives of countless priests, religious and laity the world over. The funny thing is, we may never have known her holiness had it not been for the fact that her journal was published by her religious community shortly after her death from tuberculosis at the age of 24. She promised before her death to spend her heaven doing good on earth, and quite often she continues to send roses as an answer to intercessory prayer. (Her statue stands in the vestibule of Immaculate Conception Church.)
October 2 – the feast of the Guardian Angels. Although many adults might scoff at the concept of an angel always “by our side to light, guard, rule and guide,” this day reminds us that God’s ambassadors point the way for us and act as messengers who intercede, warn and preserve us from danger. As the letter to the Hebrews (1:14) states: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?”
October 4 – the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Who doesn’t love this Italian friar and mystic of the medieval period (early 1200s)? His influence has been far-reaching in every generation, and countless Christians and people of goodwill often turn to him as an inspiration and model of peace, care for God’s creation, and humble Christ-centered living. As Francis would tell his fellow-friars and all who listened to him: “Make a dwelling within yourself where He can stay always.”
May the angels and saints continue to intercede for you, your families, our parish and our world, especially in these times. Don’t be afraid to develop a relationship with them, for their love and prayers only lead us deeper into the heart of God. Like Francis, Therese, Faustina (October 5) and so many other holy women and men, may we too become the saints our Lord is calling us to be.