My dear sisters and brothers,

Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest, accomplished in 2007 a rare feat. He wrote a Catholic spiritual memoir that became a mainstream bestseller. His book spoke to many people, Catholic and non-Catholic.

Each chapter of My Life with the Saints begins with how he got to know a particular saint. For example, he studied French in high school, “taking dictation, doing drills, putting on playlets, giving speeches, and watching ancient filmstrips and movies about France and French culture.”

One day the French teacher showed his prized slides from his trips to France. One slide showed a statue of a young woman on a gleaming golden horse. “Jeanne d’Arc,” the teacher said. Before anyone could ask who she was, the slide projector clicked to a museum.

After college James Martin took a trip through Europe. In Orleans, he recognized from high school French class the statue of the woman on her horse. The Baedeker guide told him that during the Hundred Years’ War, the young peasant girl Joan heard the voices of three saints—Michael, Margaret, and Catherine—who instructed her to save France. Against all odds, she came to lead the army into battle in a suit of white armor and freed the besieged city of Orleans. In the religious and political twists of the age, Joan of Arc was later condemned as a heretic. Burned at the stake by the Church, her last words were, “Jesus, Jesus.”

The young James Martin grew to admire this crazy young girl who heard voices, left her family, went to war, and died for an unseen person. Her witness gave him confidence in his own budding faith. He wrote, “Faith was something that seemed sensible and nonsensical at the same time.” Inspired by the courage of St. Joan of Arc, James Martin began a journey of faith that eventually led him to the priesthood.

In other chapters, Fr. Martin writes about how Therese of Lisieux is the person he thinks of when feeling dejected or discouraged. She understood the way grace works through the petty struggles of everyday life. 

When he has difficulties accepting a difficult decision from a superior, he turns to Ignatius of Loyola, who went from a soldier of fortune to the founder of the Jesuits. He turns to Pope John XXIII when struggling with the Church.

When he loses something, he remembers the prayer from childhood, “St. Anthony, St. Anthony, please come around. Something is lost and cannot be found.” And with amazing speed, the lost car keys show up.

The saints, in short, are our friends in high places. They have gone ahead of us and now intercede for us. They pray for us that we are free from present ills and strengthened in serving God and neighbor. 

What about you? How is your life with the saints? Come and talk about your favorite saints and, if you have read it, the book “My Life with the Saints.” Check out the various time available Sunday lunchtime after Mass (my group), after morning Mass, Thursday evening. 

With the Angels and all the Saints, let us declare God’s glory as with one voice we acclaim: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Hosanna in the highest.” 

In Christ,

Father David