 I was raised Methodist, and although we took a historical interest in the Saints, we looked at them as mostly mythological rather than models of holiness. I don't think I really envisioned the saints as real people, or even considered how God might use these saints in their unique positions to teach us how to walk with Him. I was lucky enough during Lent to once again learn from a mentor of mine. She spoke about the canonization cause of Dorothy Day, a figure about whom I had no knowledge, and even now only some. The message from my mentor was this - for the church to canonize Dorothy Day was to show to us that her walk with God is a path toward holiness. While I still don't know much about her or her cause - that idea stuck with me.
Later on, in a conversation with my good friend and frequent spiritual guide Mr. Art Taylan, the saints knocked again on my door. I have a dream of starting a school. Recently, that dream has taken greater shape as I have seen a need for a preschool that is inclusive of all learners - meaning more specifically those with disabilities. I can go into detail about why this is the case and why there is a need, but that's another conversation for another forum. What's important here is that I've been thinking about it. I was telling Art that I wanted to make this school Catholic, but didn't know if I could (again, for a number of reasons). Art said "I wonder what St. John Bosco would do?" I looked at him perplexed, mostly because he pulled the name of a saint I had NO knowledge of out so immediately. He told me the story of St. John Bosco and the founding of the Salesians and how they educated poor children. I immediately made connections with a saint I do know about, St. Jean Baptiste de la Salle. A thought occurred to me then that echoes in my mind still - the saints just really didn't give a #$%^! They were in it for God and God alone. The fire in their hearts burned in spite of everything around them trying to douse it out. I thought of my confirmation name, Lawrence, and St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, who sarcastically presented the bare truth that the poor are the treasure of the church to Valerian, and who joked with his executioners as he was roasted on a grate. In the words of C.S. Lewis - "He's not a tame lion." Sometimes God calls us in ways we don't think of, and though he is definitely sending you somewhere that no one else can go, that doesn't mean he didn't give you guidance for how to get there. Looks like I'll be reading more about the lives of the Saints this summer! Where is God sending you? Pax
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