Ora pro nobis
One of the most memorable things in Pope John Paul II’s funeral is the calling of saint’s names. Even now, two months after seeing it on CNN, I hear distinctly in my mind the sing-song recital of saints and the Faithful’s plea for the saints to pray for us — ora pro nobis. I would also like to be brought to my final resting place with the same lullaby and with a strong faith that the saints will intercede for my soul.
Thus, even as I toil on daily drudgery, I meditate on the saint’s lives by subscribing to Smart’s “Saints Daily MMS”. (Ha! You did not see that coming at all! There is no escape in commercialism.) When the saint’s description is especially interesting, I google it for some more information. (Hey Leo – there again is a new verb for you — google. Sounds like a turkey.)
[Best hit is Catholic Saints and Angels ]
Here are some of the interesting saints so far –
St. Augustine of Canterbury (aka Austin) —- this guy was such a scaredy-cat! He was sent to England to rekindle the faith and hope among those conquered by the Saxons. But he got so frightened by the horror stories of Celts torturing Christians that he ran right back to Rome. Good thing, his obedience was stronger than his fears. The second time he was sent, he had such a success that he converted the King and reclaimed England as a Christian country.
St. Joan of Arc – Well, even non-Catholics know her. Thanks to the film. She hits a bestseller everytime — a farm girl who heard voices and saw visions, conquered enemies of France in the name of Jesus and Mary, and of course, the piece de resistance —she was burned at stake as a heretic.
But did you know about St. Petronilla? She was supposedly the daughter of St. Peter (yes, The Rock –not to be confused with WWF persona). If indeed she is – though the Church says it’s not true — then parentage does have its privileges. J
I have heard of St. Elmo’s Fire (yes, I heard of the song before I knew of the dancing fire.) St. Elmo is the popular name of St. Erasmus. While hiding from persecution, he lived in the mountain and survived by the food brought periodically to him by a raven. Discovered and imprisoned, he was rescued by an angel. As all saints had it, he was eventually recaptured and martyred. This MMS came with a picture of St. Elmo on his back and torturers slicing open his stomach. I guess that’s how he came to be a patron for abdominal pains, appendicitis and child birth (?!).
It is humbling to know that these saints were people of the ordinary kind. Only by their Faith did they surmount extraordinary challenges. Their lives sure do makes some great storytelling. Am telling you, the stories of the saints beat any Dan Brown bestseller any time.
