Quick Tips for Maximizing Your Relationship with the Catholic Saints
Having a closer relationship with the saints is a central part of Catholic spirituality. Sacred Scripture makes it clear that we are not only saved from sin, but we are saved into a Covenant. That means that we are made members of a family – the Family of God. Here are some quick tips for deepening your relationship with your brothers and sisters in the Church Triumphant.
Quick Tip #1: Choose specific Catholic saints
The goal of devotion to the saints is intimacy in the Family of God. Intimacy is achieved when you take the time to get to know people on a personal level. Don’t focus on the crowd. Focus on the individual.
Quick Tip #2: Get to know the saints
Again, if intimacy is the goal, you want to take the time to get to know your chosen saints as deeply as possible. Do some deep research. Use biographies on your chosen Catholic saints for spiritual reading. Read prayerfully.
Quick Tip #3: Pray intimately
When you invoke the help of your saint, bring what you learn about their lives into your prayer. Make connections between their lives and yours.
Quick Tip #4: Take the saint on your spiritual journey
Ask the saint for prayers as you focus on specific areas of your spiritual growth. In addition to asking for general prayers for your salvation and sanctification, pray for specific struggles or specific areas of growth you need to right now.
Quick Tip #5: Thank your saint!
Gratefulness is key to the spiritual life for many reasons. Don’t forget to thank your chosen Catholic saints for their prayer and support. Remind yourself that nobody grows in holiness alone. We all need grace, and we all grow within the context of the Family of God.