Recently, I have been becoming more attuned to the Communion of Saints and the power of our friends in heaven. I've had a favorite one or two saints, but didn't think I could handle more than that. However, I noticed recently that St. Anthony was one of the saints who has been showing up almost every place I go. I took that as an indication that he wanted to be my friend. My last day of work at my last job was May 13. I was invited to a St. Anthony retreat on June 4. (See? He was beckoning again and I said yes to the retreat invitation.)
On the day of the retreat, I realized I had exactly nine days to start his novena. I also realized that his feast day was exactly one month later than my last day at my previous job. On that day, I started believing that St. Anthony would have a hand in helping me find my next job. I also told him I would believe and expect that he would send a miracle on his feast day.
On St. Anthony's feast day, someone I knew asked if I was interested in finding work and handed me a vacancy for a position exactly in my field of work! I believe St. Anthony will continue to intercede with the Blessed Virgin Mary and my other dear friend St. Jude. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
He is one of the great saints of the Catholic Church, and one of the beloved--even far beyond Catholics themselves. Untold numbers of people turn to him, still, when there is loss. And strangely--at least strangely in the usual ways of the world--those things often quickly turn up. And often they turn up in the most unexpected--even seemingly miraculous ways. Let the stories begin.
