Symbol of Love: October 2023

October: Symbol of Love 

October has been a month filled with many feasts and memorials. It began with the feast of the Little Flower which is also the anniversary of the canonization of St. Katharine Drexel. Perhaps the corner stone of the many feasts was that of Our Lady of the Rosary.

St. Katharine called the Rosary a “symbol of love.” In each of the mysteries of the Rosary, we see the Messianic mission of Jesus and the role His Mother played in His Mission. From Her Annunciation (and becoming the Mother of Jesus), to His death and Resurrection, and to her presence at the Descent of the Holy Spirit and her own Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven.

The Nativity of Jesus should echo the joy families feel at the birth of their child. Perhaps we could remember to pray for those families who are struggling to raise a family or support a family member with special needs.

The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and Mary with the “the rush of a mighty wind.” The Holy Spirit came to us at our Confirmation in a much quieter manner. As St. Katharine reminds us, the Holy Spirit is ever with us – “the presence of God.”

Sometimes we feel as though we are walking the Way of the Cross with Jesus. Perhaps He has given us a splinter of His Cross to bear, that we might act like Veronica or Simon of Cyrene helping Him to carry His Cross.

Our Lady of Fatima asked the children to pray the Rosary, to pray for peace. We need those prayers now as strongly as the world needed them in the early part of the last century.

November will soon be upon us with the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. St. Katharine is a canonized saint but she reminds us that we are all called to be saints. How do we do this? By following daily the path God has laid out for us, whether it be in doing little acts of charity or by doing bigger kindnesses. With God ever present within us, we can ask for His help to do what needs to be done.

November also brings Thanksgiving Day. St. Katharine did not write special “Thanksgiving Day” letters because each day was Thanksgiving Day for her. “Eucharist” is Greek for Thanksgiving. Each time she received Holy Communion, St. Katharine gave thanks. We can do that also.

Stephanie Morris, ASBS

October 15, 2023