MY FAVOURITE SAINT | KAIROS GLOBAL | NOVEMBER 2021

The Lost Key

My favourite saint since childhood is St. Anthony of Padua. I remember losing a key to a box when I was about eight-years-old and I had searched all over the house. Seeing me search everywhere my mother asked me what had happened and asked me to pray to St. Anthony as he was the patron saint of lost things. I listened to her and prayed with all my heart. After praying I tried searching once again and got a feeling to look behind the cupboard and found the key right there.

Rohan Roy Tharakan, Singapore

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Road to Cascia

St. Rita, the saint of the impossible, holds a special place in my life. When I read about her, I was drawn closer. I was blessed to visit her shrine in Cascia, Italy with my family. It was not an easy drive there and the journey consumed our precious time, due to which we missed the Papal Audience the next day in Rome. We were sad and invoked the intercession of St Rita. Miraculously, in Rome we met a couple of priests and Swiss Guards, from whom we learnt about a Papal Mass. We managed to partake in the Papal Mass on All Saints Day. God had something bigger in store for us for a unique experience from the intercession of the saint.

Linu Deepak, Singapore

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Peter, the Rock

Peter was probably one of the most unsteady of all the disciples, yet he was the one Jesus called, the Rock. When Jesus turned to look at Peter after the rooster crowed, it is said that he saw a Peter who died on the cross upside down, professing his unworthiness to die like his Lord; not the Peter who denied him and deserted him. Peter went out and wept bitterly and the rest is history. This inspires me a lot to rise up and turn back from my denials time and again.

Arun Mathew, Tokyo, Japan

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Trustful SurrenderSt. Faustina is one of my favourite saints. Her diary of conversations with Jesus is very candid and personal. This was my first real insight into knowing Jesus’ personality and thoughts, beyond what is shared in the Gospels. Reading the diary was a formative experience in my relationship with Christ and provided inspiration in other areas of my life. In JY ministry, I was able to incorporate a focus on the Passion of Christ into our prayer gathering, inspired by St. Faustina’s reflections. Furthermore, in my personal life, she taught me my most valuable lesson, about having complete trust in God especially when life doesn’t go as expected.

Jennifer Looyis, Toronto, Canada

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A Journey that began in Childhood

During my childhood days, I used to go to St. Philomena’s Church, Koonammavu in Kerala, India, holding the hands of my grandmother. This journey helped me develop a close relationship with St. Kuriakose Chavara. Whenever I went, I always visited the room where the saint spent the last seven years of his life. I would share with him about the difficulties I faced in studies and life. Miraculously, I was able to experience the results of his intercession to Jesus. I witnessed situations where I couldn’t write the exams well, but the results turned out to be extremely good through his intercession. Seeing my great success in studies, I still remember my grandmother telling me that St. Kuriakose liked me so much, that his constant intercession to Jesus is what helps me move forward successfully.

Maria Merin Antony, Singapore

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Gift of Joy

A few years ago we got a golden chance to watch the movie, Saint Philip Neri – I Prefer Heaven as a family, ever since we have become his big fans, including my son who was three-years-old at that time. The movie illustrates beautifully the life of St. Philip Neri who was an Italian priest known as the second apostle of Rome.

There is a beautiful song, Paradiso, Paradiso, preferisco il Paradiso which means ‘Heaven, Heaven, I prefer heaven’ which was a key takeaway from St Philip Neri's life.

I was expecting my second child during that time and I used to ask Philip Neri's intercession for the 'gift of a joyful personality' as against my previous pregnancy during which I had a lot of mood swings and emotional challenges. We especially prayed for Saint Philip Neri's intercession for the baby to be a joyful person and now she (Celine Rose Nobin) who is two-and-a-half years old is the centre of our home, entertains everyone with her joyful nature and we hope that may she continue to be joyful like Philip Neri. 

We often think that holiness is about being serious and rigid. Saint Phillip Neri had a playful sense of humour and was a joyful personality. When some people came to meet this great priest, he was reading a joke book to another old priest to keep him happy. His joyful nature and unfailing compassion attracted many youths and sinners for confessions with him. During Holy Mass on St. Philip Neri’s feast day, we pray, ‘Lord, keep us always cheerful in our work for the glory of your name and the good of our neighbours’. 

Jilu Mathew, Singapore

Fragrance of Assisi

One day while I was parking my bike, I asked Jesus, ‘How can St. Francis imitate you so closely?’ It was not the first time and I am sure it won’t be the last time I will ask this question. He is a difficult yet graceful challenge for the entire humanity. In loving the Creator, in loving every creation and yet a peaceful revolutionist. The fragrance of Assisi who carried the aura of Jesus of Nazareth is my favourite saint

Juhi George, Bournemouth, UK

Heaven’s Little Flower

Throughout her short life, St. Therese of Lisieux remained dedicated to the Lord. No matter what trials came her way, she was devoted to the Lord. I have always been inspired by her focus and spirituality. She led a simple pious life and knew that it was her lifelong mission to serve the Lord. She is also known as Little Flower because she did not see herself as an elegant rose or lily but rather as a small wildflower.

I have known of St. Therese of Lisieux for as long as I can remember because she was the patron saint of the church I had attended earlier in my life. Even from a young age, I was in awe of her constant yearning to adore the Lord, praying each day and night to save the lost souls. One of the most beautiful quotes of hers is, ‘I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences and he always understands me.’ This line really resonated with me, it made me realise that God knows each and every one of his children and the troubles and burdens they face. 

Siji Kunjappu, Kent, UK

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The visionary of Lourdes

On a chilly February morning in the year 1858, a young girl found herself in the presence of a divine figure. That girl was Bernadette and over the course of 18 such visits, the divine lady was revealed to be Mother Mary herself.

What drew me to St. Bernadette was her piety and faithfulness to God despite the many trials she faced as a result of having been ill for the major part of her life. Even as the people questioned her sanity, she did what was asked of her by the Blessed Mother. Although the spring of water at the site of the grotto healed many people, Bernadette herself was given no relief from her illnesses. Instead, she trusted in the belief that God was her comforting guide, just as we are called to do as well.

Evangeline Jose, Abu Dhabi, UAE