Feast Days

When we become a novice, we pick a feast day. This involves thinking and praying about a saint that has special meaning to us. Most of us look at which saint connects with our name, but it doesn’t always have to be that connection. When I became a novice, I added my middle name to my official religious name. So my official religious name is Sr. Jill Marie (it mostly only gets used when I sign official things). I had the plan to pick a Marian feast to go with Marie. But as I was praying and thinking, I came across Julian of Norwich.  

From the Catholic Encyclopedia: English mystic of the fourteenth century, author or recipient of the vision contained in the book known as the “Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love.”

After choosing the saint, we then take the date for the saint as our feast day. Julian’s feast is May 13, so that is now a day that I celebrate. I try to read about her and reflect on what she is about. I read this the other day and it stayed with me: “God is closer to us that our own soul, for [God] is the foundation on which our soul stands…For our soul sits in God in true rest, and our soul stands in God in sure strength, and our soul is naturally rooted in God in endless love.”  

For me, I am in this life for a reason and God is my strength and God is in me and through me.

Question to ponder: Who is the saint that touches your heart and you can connect with?