I have always wanted to be a saint, I used to recreate my saint story as a child (for some reason I was always a peasant child in some far off country, even though I lived in parts of ghetto America). With years of sinning under my belt and the slow progression of stagnant piety, the idea of becoming a great saint became something that I slowly stopped thinking about. I will often jest about my imaginary holiness, even going so far as a friend creating a holy card for me. Even though I would brush this idea aside, because who am I to be called to holiness, when I look at that "holy card", my heart literally yearns for those words, St. Maria. Recently, I've come back to my old goal of becoming a saint after watching Bishop Barron's video series "Catholicism" and I new devotion of a consistent weekly Holy Hour (where I am the crazy person in the back, talking to God with my hands). Why not me?! Why not us?!
I've dubbed myself the "annoying" saint and I take solace in stories of other great saints who were not super popular in their time. So, I want to be a saint with a capital S. Yes, it is a bold statement but the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, when asked how to become a saint, "Will It!" is my go to statement. I see a resurgence to the call of sainthood within the Catholic Church, I don't know if its because I'm older and can pay better attention or if the Church is truly making sainthood a priority for hot topics. I don't know how I'm going to get to Sainthood, all I know is that I want it and if I want it enough, God will grant me the graces to become what I desire.......right?! I am fearful of making a mistake and messing up on my way to holiness, but the stories of saints before me show that missteps are part and parcel of the journey. My journey refines me enough so that I can successfully end my journey, falling into His arms. I don't have the eloquence of some of the great saints, I don't have a theology or philosophy degree, I don't have a "Little Way" and I am definitely not a poor peasant girl, but what I am is me, Maria, sinner, child of God, earnest lover of my Heavenly Father and Mother and ready for my story to unfold. I don't have to be anyone else, I just have to be the Saint that God created me to be. Does this give you courage to boldly say," I want to be a saint!"? I hope it does! What better way to lead the life that God created for you, then to live out to the fullest measure. I know that trials will be thrown my way and my faith will be tested, but what's a great story without a couple of plot twists, villains and a happy ending? Bring it ON! I'll pray for you and your story and I ask that you pray for me, as I continue my upward and steep journey to Sainthood with a capital S.
