AnneLine Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) Last few years, Lil Red sent out 'patron saints' for the new year starting in November. I hope she'll be doing that again for 2014 in a few weeks! Last year I started listing 'virtues' one could cultivate for 2013. I plan to do that again for 2014! I am curious to know.... does anyone have any feedback regarding their experiences with their patron saint and/or with the virtue that they 'adopted' (or that 'adopted' them?) I'll go ahead and start.... I received St. Augustine of Hippo from Lil Red for 2013... and I must admit I wasn't too thrilled at firs as I have always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with him in the past. But I tried to see this in the most positive light... I read a biography of him again (have already read the Confessions a few years back), I think I have gotten more understanding of his spirituality this year... I don't think we are close, but I like him more! I'm enjoying seeing readings from him more in the Liturgy of the Hours as I feel like they are kind of an email from him to me....we have developed a bit more of a relationship. Thanks, Red! As far as a virtue, 'peacefulness' adopted me. And as someone who has a pretty strong and grumpy nature when left to my own devices ( :paperbag: ) it is certainly one that I needed to come and sit on my lap. I've really focused on trying to be more peaceful and live more peacefully this year... Working on cultivating this virtue has been a big part of my spiritual focus for this year. I'll be curious to see 1) how others reacted to theirs ,and 2) what saint and virtue I get NEXT year! Anyone else care to share? Edited October 14, 2013 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyAnn Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Saint: Camillus de Lellis At first, I struggled with this one. Having a lesser known saint, after my initial research I felt a little like "what more can I do?" But I've tried really hard to stick with it and get to know him better. I'm not very good at getting to know "new" saints, I'm very stuck in my ways. :hehe: Although, I've been struggling with an old ankle injury that just will not heal and he was plagued by a leg wound so I guess that's a link (if a tenuous one). Virtue: Honesty I didn't even really think about this for ages until I read this topic and then I had a moment of "oh my gosh this totally applied to my life". I'm not a dishonest person but I'm not a very open person. I really struggle to be open with people, it makes me really uncomfortable. I'd been having some problems with my family and I had to learn to be honest with them, and that is very uncomfortable for me. But I did it, and I've slowly been getting better at honesty. So really, a perfect pick for this year. :) This was the first year I did this so it's been really fun and I really want to see what I get for next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 That's really interesting, Emily! I had a friend who discerned a vocation with the Brothers of St. Camillus, so I do know a bit about him.... If you haven't found these, you might give these a read: From 'New Advent' Catholic Encyclopedia 1913: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03217b.htm From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camillus_de_Lellis From American Catholic: http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1553 And here is a whole book about him that has been digitized! http://www.u.arizona.edu/~aversa/camillus.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountrySteve21 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 I had St. Jude and I forgot what my virtue was... :pinch: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandelynmarie Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 For 2013, I received St. Bede who has led me to study more about Benedictine traditions & spirituality. :saint: My virtues were Mercy & Patience & I have had unending moments this year to try & practice them...over & over & over again. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) I had St. Jude and I forgot what my virtue was... :pinch: Welll.... as far as those who forgot your saint and/or virtue :idontknow: :huh: (I would be willing to bet they didn't forget you!) :tomato: you can do a search using the search box (upper left corner) and find the link as I did... because I couldn't remember WHEN we did the selections.... :hehe2: or you can use these threads (because no excuses!) ;) Saints.... http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/125055-patron-saints-2013/#.Ulx9sJ3n9Ms Virtues.... and Continents! http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/125102-time-to-get-your-virtues-and-continents-for-2013/#.Ulx-C53n9Ms (Continents? OOOOPS!) :doh: I had forgotten the CONTINENTS (agreeing to pray for that continent) !!!!! I got 'Asia' - which was a surprise to me, because I REALLY wanted the Holy Land... and I was surprised to find out that it is considered PART of Asia! I have been praying for the people of Asia... and it made the celebrations of the Martyrs of Korea, Vietnam, China and Japan much more real to me this year.......as well as all the fighting in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Israel.... and all the worry about the nuclear bomb building in North Korea.... And what does it mean to be praying for all those places AND trying to cultivate the virtue of Peacefulness.... certainly, I do think there was a connection... Anybody else remember their continent... have we been praying? Edited October 14, 2013 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VexillaRegis Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 I received St. Francis of Assisi but I am ashamed to say I did not really pray to him especially. I went to Masses said by Franciscans a few times and one of them heard my confession, it was beautiful and I learned a lot from the counsels he gave me. As for my virtue which was faith, the link is obvious since I was baptized this year at the Easter Vigil. I forgot to pray for my continent (South America). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristinaTherese Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) I kind of forgot about my saint, St. Matthew. I did develop (at least for a bit) a bit of a relationship with St. Peter, which seemed to connect to St. Matthew a lot. Maybe I'll ask for one again and try to do better this time around.... And a virtue and a continent might be nice too. Edited October 16, 2013 by Christina Thérèse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrossCuT Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) This seems like a Christmas tradition that a friend of my family has each year. We go to their house for Christmas Day and at the end of the day, we pass around a bowl of numbers. Each person draws a number that is assigned to a holy card with a virtue written on it. The number we drew corresponds with what they say God thinks we should work on for the year. Its a cute tradition. I recall one year a friend of mine and I were having a rough patch. We werent getting a long because of various changes in the relationship and the virtue I got was "Forgiveness". My brother told me that when I found out my face went white. It really meant a lot to me to receive that and I helped me in adopting a better mentality and dealing with the situation better. Edited October 16, 2013 by CrossCuT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartermia Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 I have definitely growing in patience this past year. From school, to needlework, to parents I know I have grown. I learned how to be quite and listen for the voice of God and grow in my faith. I was kind of dreading getting this virtue picked but now I am happy it was picked! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 (edited) I received St. Thomas of Aquinas and it was fitting, as I was debating whether to continue to a PhD program. I am now a PhD student at Purdue, where the Catholic campus ministry is run by Dominicans and named [drumroll...]: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Ministry at Purdue. I'm there at least four days a week, usually five. I go to daily Mass there. I confess there. I'm in spiritual direction there. I'm in a discernment group there. You get the idea. St. Thomas and I talk quite a bit. I received the virtue of courage. At first I didn't know what to make of it, and then I had to make the decision whether to go on for the PhD, and which program to go to. During that agonizing time, I realized I had become quite the wimp. I mean really living in fear, all the time. I made a huge leap of faith—twice—to come to Purdue. I won't post the 15-page journal entry that explains how much courage this all took. Suffice to say: It was a whole lot. And yes, in the back of my mind that whole time there was the nagging voice: "You know COURAGE is your virtue this year, right?" I am really looking forward to doing this again this year. Thank you to those of you who put all the work into it! (Drawings were in January 2013, AnneLine. At least that's when I got mine. I think I was a latecomer, though.) Edited October 17, 2013 by curiousing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 I got Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne and I don't feel like I really developed a relationship with her, I did however start discerning with a French Community so I know she probably had a hand in that. I think moderation was my virtue and I don't think I really got anywhere with that. I can't even remember my continent at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted October 17, 2013 Author Share Posted October 17, 2013 Sorry, I've been SUPER busy last few days! I received St. Francis of Assisi but I am ashamed to say I did not really pray to him especially. I went to Masses said by Franciscans a few times and one of them heard my confession, it was beautiful and I learned a lot from the counsels he gave me. As for my virtue which was faith, the link is obvious since I was baptized this year at the Easter Vigil. I forgot to pray for my continent (South America). Hi, VexillaRegis! You know... you still have a month and a half left in the Church year... you and St. Francis can get to know each other a bit better in that much time! If you are looking for a really good & readable bio, I LOOOVE "The Perfect Joy of St. Francis" by Felix Timmermans. There is a great deal to Francis..... Congratulations on your reception into the Church!!!! And South America still needs your prayers! I kind of forgot about my saint, St. Matthew. I did develop (at least for a bit) a bit of a relationship with St. Peter, which seemed to connect to St. Matthew a lot. Maybe I'll ask for one again and try to do better this time around.... And a virtue and a continent might be nice too. Well.. you ALSO have a month & a Half to get to know St. Matthew! LilRed is the lady to ask about saints... I just hand out virtues and Continents, and I will be HAPPY to put you down for the very first ones when they are selected. Last year I picked mine on November 8, which is the anniversary of my Secular Order profession.... This seems like a Christmas tradition that a friend of my family has each year. We go to their house for Christmas Day and at the end of the day, we pass around a bowl of numbers. Each person draws a number that is assigned to a holy card with a virtue written on it. The number we drew corresponds with what they say God thinks we should work on for the year. Its a cute tradition. I recall one year a friend of mine and I were having a rough patch. We werent getting a long because of various changes in the relationship and the virtue I got was "Forgiveness". My brother told me that when I found out my face went white. It really meant a lot to me to receive that and I helped me in adopting a better mentality and dealing with the situation better. It is a fun tradition, and it is one that really can help one grow spiritually. I have definitely growing in patience this past year. From school, to needlework, to parents I know I have grown. I learned how to be quite and listen for the voice of God and grow in my faith. I was kind of dreading getting this virtue picked but now I am happy it was picked! :) Patience is a tough one to find in your 'Christmas Sock' CarterMia, and I am glad this has been a good year for growth for you! I received St. Thomas of Aquinas and it was fitting, as I was debating whether to continue to a PhD program. I am now a PhD student at Purdue, where the Catholic campus ministry is run by Dominicans and named [drumroll...]: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Ministry at Purdue. I'm there at least four days a week, usually five. I go to daily Mass there. I confess there. I'm in spiritual direction there. I'm in a discernment group there. You get the idea. St. Thomas and I talk quite a bit. I received the virtue of courage. At first I didn't know what to make of it, and then I had to make the decision whether to go on for the PhD, and which program to go to. During that agonizing time, I realized I had become quite the wimp. I mean really living in fear, all the time. I made a huge leap of faith—twice—to come to Purdue. I won't post the 15-page journal entry that explains how much courage this all took. Suffice to say: It was a whole lot. And yes, in the back of my mind that whole time there was the nagging voice: "You know COURAGE is your virtue this year, right?" I am really looking forward to doing this again this year. Thank you to those of you who put all the work into it! (Drawings were in January 2013, AnneLine. At least that's when I got mine. I think I was a latecomer, though.) Wow! You and St. Thomas have INDEED made quite a connection! And courage is a wonderful virtue to develop.... will be interesting to see what next year will bring! I'm pretty sure LilRed and I selected stuff right around the time of Advent (start of Church New Year), but I certainly kept delivering Virtues & Continents as long as people asked for them... I think thru end of January. It really is a great tradition! I got Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne and I don't feel like I really developed a relationship with her, I did however start discerning with a French Community so I know she probably had a hand in that. I think moderation was my virtue and I don't think I really got anywhere with that. I can't even remember my continent at all! Funny how a saint will connect with one person and not another... St. Rose Philippine is one of the saints I am drawn towards. I love her struggle to follow her vocation (even after thrown out during the French Revolution) - and helping to establish the Society of the Sacred Heart in her thirties... and then her missionary work in the US.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Philippine_Duchesne I'm especially awed by an elderly Sister who couldn't speak the language, begging to go on a missionary trip to the Native American peoples... and staying there praying for them even when she couldn't learn to talk to them. To be given the name "The Woman who Prays Always'. Wow.... And still time to work on 'moderation' (at least a little bit i.e. 'moderately') over the next few weeks.... You can look up your continent... but it is ... CONTINENT: Australia and Antarctica And Spem in Alium has been posting all night about serious brush fires that are going on right now... they need you, TT!!!!! 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Lil Red Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 I usually do it right before the Church new year starts...i.e. right before Advent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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