Talk to the Saints during Lent

As one of her "12 Ways to Pray During Lent," Therese Borchard suggests that her readers talk with various saints during Lent, including the Venerable Matt Talbot if struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. (JB)

Talk to the Saints ( Slide 12)

Yes, as a typical Catholic, I'm crazy about the saints. Why wouldn't I be? They have every neurosis and insecurity covered! St. Joseph takes care of those prone to panic attacks while traveling. For twitching, Bartholomew the Apostle is your dude. Those roaming the house in their sleep can call on Dymphna. The Venerable Matt Talbot is patron saint to those struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. And, of course, St. Jude covers the hopeless causes.

Personally, I pray a novena to Saint Therese every day--during Lent and every other liturgical season. Maybe it's because I was named after her, but this saint's "little ways" to God are much more appealing than the heady theology of Saint Thomas Aquinas. In reading words by Therese, I'm comforted because she experienced the same annoyances and distractions that I do. And she's a saint!

I also have a special devotion to Mary. Now that I'm a mom, I can appreciate how much she must have suffered watching her Son be crucified. I also know if I beg her to deliver a message to her boy, she'll be sure it gets there. She's a mom. She's responsible.

Source: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/12-Ways-to-Pray-During-Lent.aspx?nlsource=11&source=NEWSLETTER&utm_campaign=Bible&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=NL

Note: Theresa J. Borchard is the author of the spirituality and mental health blog, Beyond Blue, at beliefnet.com (http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/).