We all (that is Orthodox, Catholics, and Anglicans) have one patron (or matron) saint that we either chose at our conversion or were given in infancy at baptism. This saint is, of course, of supreme importance to us throughout our life and beyond. Nevertheless, many other saints come to hold special places in our hearts for various reasons. We are then able to assemble, as it were, our own persoanl synaxis (gathering together) of saints. What are yours, and why? You may include your patron/matron as #1.
From Kyrie Elieson via Huw Raphael and the Young Fogey.
St. Anthony of Padua —“ my particular patron. Doctor of the Church (Doctor of the Gospel). He wanted to engage in extreme Christianity, and desired martyrdom. He planned on preaching the Faith to the Saracens and suffering for Christ’s sake. God had different plans and directed him otherwise. He became a great preacher, but never boasted of his studies or knowledge. He loved the Word of God. St. Anthony fought against heresy with zeal. He brought about repentance and conversion among his listeners. He moved people to make peace, come to penance, and be reconciled with each other. He was known as the Hammer of the Heretics. He spoke openly to all, to the rich as to the poor, to the people as well as those in authority. St. Anthony’s example in his willingness to suffer, his willingness to give up his desires and be used by the Lord as He wills, and in his strong preaching is the model for my life as a deacon.
O God, who by thy Holy Spirit didst give to thy servant Anthony a love of the Holy Scriptures, and the gift of expounding them with learning and eloquence, that thereby thy people might be established in sound doctrine and encouraged in the way of righteousness, grant to us always an abundance of such preachers, to the glory of thy Name and the benefit of thy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
St. Stephen, Protomartyr —“ deacon, example of forgiveness and the proclamation of Jesus Christ in the face of human power, first martyr.
O Saint Stephen, first of the martyrs, who wast filled with fortitude, grace, and love, whose guiltless face shone like the face of a pure angel, I beseech thee, by the grace which rendered them worthy to see heaven opened and Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father, that thou wouldst, by thy prayers, procure for me from God a pure conscience, and a holy, meek love, that like thee I may readily forgive those who injure me; may pray for them; may not only desire for them whatever is good, but may do them good indeed, and thereby merit the grace of a happy death. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
St. Ephraim the Syrian —“ deacon, fought against heresy. He wrote homilies and hymns. He lived a life of humility and penitence. A Doctor of the Church and the Harp of Faith.
O Lord and Master of my life
take from me the spirit of sloth
faint-heartedness,
lust of power
and idle talk.But give rather the spirit of chastity,
humility,
patience,
and love to thy servant.Yea, O Lord and King
grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother;
for Thou art blessed unto the ages of ages.Amen.
St. Casimir —“ Prince of Poland-Lithuania. He lived a life of mortification, celibacy, and prayer. He had a strong personal devotion to the BVM. He stood up to his own father, the King, in opposing the forceful takeover of Hungary.
O God, the giver of all heavenly grace, in the angelic young adult, Casimir, you did unite wondrous innocence, great prudence, diligent fidelity to duty, and generous charity with strict penance. By his merits and prayers grant unto us who have not followed him in his avoidance of sin, the grace to imitate him in his voluntary penance for sin. Amen.
St. Lawrence of Rome —“ archdeacon, martyr. He cared for the poor and sick of the Church at Rome. He kept the treasury of the Church at Rome. He stood up to Caesar in the face of the martyrdom of his bishop and six other deacons. He was told to deliver the treasures of the Church entrusted to his care to Caesar. He brought the poor, the crippled, the blind, the sick before Caesar stating that these were the true treasures of the Church.
Almighty God, who didst call thy deacon Laurence to serve thee with deeds of love, and didst give him the crown of martyrdom: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, following his example, may fulfil thy commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving thee with all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Other saints who have had a profound role in my life: St. Joseph, St. Rita, the Holy Innocents, St. Michael the Archangel, St. James, St. Louis, Sts. Peter and Paul.
Anyone who wishes, please feel free to meme on.