A Saint for Angela

For many years Angela Messenger of Where Angels Blog, has spent many hours assigning saints to those who request a "saint for the year."  This year it numbered 392 - and we thank her.

For the past few years I have taken on the task of picking a saint for Angela.  After much prayer, Angela's saint has declared herself.

Presenting Angela's saint for 2011

St. Veronica Guiliani

More on Veronica:

Catholic Encyclopedia:  St Veronica Giuliani
Wiki: Veronica Giuliani
Catholic Online:  St. Veronica Giuliani

January 21
Feast of St. Agnes

O glorious St. Agnes, you served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific Vision in heaven because you persevered till death and gained the crown of eternal life.

Remember now the dangers that surround me in the vale of tears, and intercede for me in my needs and troubles.

Amen.

St. Basil the Great

St. Gregory Nazianzen

****"Let us raise ourselves from our fall and not give up hope as long as we are free from sin. Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. 'Come, let us adore and prostrate ourselves and weep before him' (Psalm 95:6). The Word calls us to repentance, crying out: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened and I will refresh you' (Matthew 11:28). There is, then, a way to salvation if we are willing to follow it"
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from a letter of Saint Basil the Great
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****"Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could."
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St. Gregory Nazianzen

St. Thomas Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury

December 29

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****A sword's crushing blow extinguished the life of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, on a cold December evening as he struggled on the steps of his altar. The brutal event sent a tremor through Medieval Europe. Public opinion of the time and subsequent history have laid the blame for the murder at the feet of Becket's former close personal friend, King Henry II. read more

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Thomas Becket was born 1118 in London, England. — died Dec. 29, 1170, Canterbury, Kent; canonized 1173; feast day December 29) Archbishop of Canterbury (1162 – 70). He was the son of a Norman merchant and served as chancellor of England under Henry II. Not only did Thomas help the King increase his power because of his brilliance as an administrator, diplomat, and military strategist, but they were close friends.

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Henry wanted to keep royal control of the church and so he appointed his drinking buddy Thomas as archbishop of Canterbury in 1162.

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Thomas, however, had different ideas and opposed royal power in the church. In 1164, Henry issued the Constitutions of Clarendon, listing royal rights over the church and decided to try Thomas in a court.

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Thomas, knowing that was a no-win situation, took off for France and didn't return until 1170. He was murdered in the cathedral by four of Henry's knights.

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Memorable Quotes from Becket (1964), the movie starring Peter O'Toole as King Henry II, Richard Burton as Thomas Becket, and John Gielgud as King Louis VII of France. Other than portraying Becket as a Saxon instead of a Norman the movie is excellent.

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Thomas a Becket: Honor is a private matter within; it's an idea, and every man has his own version of it.

King Henry II: How gracefully you tell your king to mind his own business.

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Saints like Thomas Becket, Augustine, and Francis of Assisi are my favorites. These are people that have so many human frailties and still managed to answer the call of God.

Saint John the Apostle

December 27

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****O Glorious Saint John, you were so loved by Jesus that you merited to rest your head upon his breast, and to be left in his place as a son to Mary. Obtain for us an ardent love for Jesus and Mary. Let me be united with them now on earth and forever after in heaven.

A Saint for Angela

Angela Messenger, who resides at Where Angels Go, is once again assigning patron saints for the year to anyone who requests one. This takes lots of time, prayer, and thought.

Last year I offered to allow God to help me find her a saint since it doesn't seem right somehow to pick out your own saint. Anglea and her patron saint for last year, Blessed Angela of Foligno, have spent a year getting to know each other. But it is time for Blessed Angela to move on and spend "quality" time with someone else.

A lovely lady by the name of Saint Margaret of Scotland (November 16, 1093) will be spending the year with Angela. St. Margaret said she had lots to discuss with Angela. Why am I not surprised?

My special saint for this year is St. Ambrose, who was last seen weeping in the corner and whimpering, no, no, no!

My wonderful husband will be looked after by St. Peter, the deeper (oops! keeper) of the keys

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An Angela for Angela

Blessed Angela of Foligno

Mistress of Theologians
(1248-1309)

Angela Messenger's Saint for '08

Everyone who has received a patron through the hard work of our own Angela Messenger needs to know what a huge job she took on.

When Angela says your saint picks you she is absolutely dead on. After I worked on this for about 6 or 8 hours (mind you – this was just one saint not a boat load like she did), I figured I had, once again, opened my big trap when I shouldn’t have.

Despair was setting in and I was becoming frantic. I took a break, had a latte, a quick chat with God, and returned to my duty.

And, voila – there she was! Blessed Angela of Foligno jumped off the screen, grabbed me by the eyeballs and said, “What, are you dumb or what”?? Here I am and that woman needs me but, most importantly, I need her.

God bless you Angela Messenger for all your hard work.