Saints with a little s….

(3/2/11)

It had been two weeks since I visited the prison. Fr. Ron was able to cover for me the previous week, which was a real treat for the women.  He spent extra time talking to them after Mass. He answered questions for the entire community with his own version of “Everything you ever wanted to know (about being Catholic) but were afraid to ask.” They seemed to have really enjoyed the discussion and wanted to share some of it with me. They were relieved to learn that because of their special circumstances they are exempt from some church rules like abstaining from meat especially because the prison does not allow for non-meat alternatives.

Usually about 15-18 women come to the service each week and on that day the women are especially talkative making the service run long. We are told that S__ will be released before the next Wednesday service. Going home is a huge event for the women; it is a time filled with emotion for those leaving and for their friends who stay behind. The feeling are mixed with anticipation of seeing family and fear at facing a new life. It can be very frightening.


As part of this big event, we always have a little ritual for the one going home. We hope that it helps her to face the world knowing that God is with them. It is composed of prayers; a special blessing from all of us; and the woman writing her name in the “Book of No Return.” The “Book” is brought to each service and is held up during the Prayers of the Faithful. Our prayer is that our Lord guides them and that they never return to prison again. Also we read Psalm 121.

With only 2 hours for our services and classes, we were already running short of time as we began the lesson on Mary and the Saints. They all seem to understand the tradition of praying to Mary and the Saints for prayer of intercession. We discuss Mary as being the greatest disciple of Jesus and how the many Saints are great models of how to live a Christian life.

Then the discussion turned to the topic of “How do we, as Catholics, explain this practice to non Catholics?” Some people in other faiths believe this form of prayer is worship and idolatry of Mary and the Saints. DB added that she thinks that intercessory prayer is okay but that she doesn’t really understand the need to pray to Mary or the Saints when you can pray directly to Jesus. To explain this practice we talked about the communion of saints.

Catholics believe in the communion of saints. This is the union of all Christ’s disciples, those who are living (us) as well as those who are already in the next life. These saints (with a little “s”) are anyone who is part of the Body of Christ, not just those who have been canonized saints by the Church.

I reminded the women of the 70+ people who signed up to pray for them as they complete their journey to baptism and confirmation. This is a perfect example of saints interceding for us. All Christians ask family and friends for prayer. There are references throughout the bible encouraging us to pray for each other. We have no problem asking these faithful people to pray for us, so doesn’t it make sense to ask Mary and the Saints to pray for us? Of course it does.

In reaction to being told about the many people who signed up for Prayer Pals, they asked me to tell everyone “THANK YOU so very MUCH for your prayers.” They were touched deeply by your response. I know that they believe that their Prayer Pals are saints with a big “S” and I’m sure they are praying for all of you Prayer Pals too. God bless you all...krr