Catholic Fun: Halloween and the Saints

I am very glad that I have learned that there is a saint I can pray to for parking spaces. Mother Cabrini will hear from me often. This is truly a relief. I am serious.

Yes, Catholic belief teaches us that the saints are our patrons, and can intercede for us in difficult times. And in some regular times, too. The same way that you might ask a friend for a little help with a very minor problem, you can also go to the saints for some intercession in those everyday struggles. Here are the parking-space prayers that people have shared with me: To St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: 'Mother Cabrini, Mother Cabrini, please find a spot for my little machine-y.' To St. Therese of Lisieux: 'Little Flower, Little Flower, send me some of your parking power.' James Martin, SJ

When I lived in NYC, I think I was infected with city attitude and thus, my Mother Cabrini prayer was a tad different: 'Mother Cabrini, Mother Cabrini, Don't be a meanie, find a spot for my little machinie' Short on gratitude, I know, which perhaps explains why this was my least granted prayer! My other favorite rhyme which is rumored to have worked nicely for single Catholic women: 'St. Anne, St. Anne, send me a man...' Hasn't worked for me yet and a friend has advised that if I remain unmarried in a couple of years, I ought to add....'as fast you can'!

Father Martin, I recently left a friend's house with an armload of books...you see he is a fanatical reader of Catholic books and one of those was yours, 'My Life with the Saints.' It never ceases to amaze me just how God will move in my life. I'm on a journey and moving in ways I never imagined... I have been an admirer of Thomas Merton, but I felt compelled to let you know that this book has moved me and taught me MORE than any other I've read in recent memory. Your style is fabulous and your transparency welcome.... Having grown up in the Catholic Church as well, it's my journey as an adult that has me where I am today...ready to move on for Christ...passionately! I am so inspired by these saints that you have so movingly introduced me to...as people, men and women as unique as you and I, who listened, simply listened to the call of God. Thank you..I've ordered several for a few who appreciate your work as much as I do! I just can not thank you enough! Now it seems the only issue I have with you Father is your apparent allegiance to the Phillies...ouch! A girl born and raised in Pittsburgh has a hard time getting past that! Forgive me Father! :) Hopefully these comments will find there way to you...May God's abundant blessings be yours! Peace, Lori

Lori, Thanks so much for your very kind words. I'm glad that you've enjoyed the book so much and that it's helped to introduce you to people like Thomas Merton, and so many other saintly friends. They all point us to God, and I'm glad that you're feeling ready for Christ! Fantastic! Thanks too for buying some copies for your friends, and spreading the word, or words about our patrons and companions. And of course I must forgive you for your (venial) sin of not loving the Phillies! Happy All Saints Day! Jim