Patron Saints As More Than Intercessors

On the Feast Day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my patron saint, it occurred to me to wonder how others of the faith relate to their own patron saints. Are they perhaps seen as far-off, above our lowly human state, unreachable other than by solemn prayer and petition to intercede on our behalf? Or perhaps (and, to me, better!) as companions and constant friends, ready and willing to be there for us at any time, for any reason?

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If I may, I'd like to share with you my own relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary, my beloved patron saint. It is ever-changing in the most wonderful and helpful of ways. 

When for years I would only reach out to her respectfully and from afar to intercede on my behalf with petitions and requests, I now feel quite comfortable and free to reach out to her in a constant stream of companionable and silent conversation throughout my days, just as I would to a trusted friend and confidante. And what I feel is especially wonderful about my relationship with Mary (which is what I respectfully call the Blessed Virgin) is that I can call on her to play specific roles in my days and in my life according to the needs I have, and I know - and have seen - that she is happy to be there for me, always.  

There was a time, for instance, when my own mother and I did not see eye-to-eye. I didn't understand, then, as I do now, that she and I are very much alike, and as often happens in these types of mother-daughter relationships, ours was not at all an easy one (we are very close now, I am happy to report!). Throughout those difficult years when I needed the love and support and care of a mother, I would call out to Mary to be a mother to me. She never failed to respond with calm and comfort, love and a balm.

When I was going through difficult times in my life and I wanted to reach out to my sisters, but because I did not wish to burden them with what I was going through because the trials were just too personal to me, I reached out to Mary, instead, and asked her to be a sister to me. She was always there.  

Whenever I have felt especially alone and lonely for one or another reason, I have called out to Mary to be my friend. She has never failed to come and be a friend to me.

So today, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as I celebrate the birth of my patron saint, I ponder how others in the faith relate to their own respective patron saints. Is he or she perhaps desiring a closer relationship with you?

Offered respectfully,

Sabrina