Begin Again
You may or may not know that the Church’s new year starts with Advent — not January 1st.
A few years ago, we started a family tradition for ringing in the new Church year: pick a saint for the year.
We sometimes pick saints out of a hat or flip to random pages in kids’ saint books. Then we ask for that saint’s intercession throughout the year. It’s simple, but it’s become one of our favorite traditions.
One piece of advice: pick saints you can learn more about — whether they wrote books themselves or whether there are good books written about them. You want to find a spiritual mentor who walked the same path we’re walking, who faced real struggles, who learned to love God in the midst of ordinary life.
I’ve always believed any time is a good time for a new resolution. Some argue Spring is best because the world itself is taking on new beginnings. But right now, as we enter Advent, we’re already primed for it. The liturgical season does the work for us — preparation, anticipation, a fresh start.
Some saints even wrote about making resolutions — not annually, but daily. What’s one practical thing you can do tomorrow that will help you overcome today’s struggles and shortcomings? That’s the question they asked themselves. And that’s what a patron saint for the year can help you answer — day by day.
It’s worth reflecting on the past year. What worked? What didn’t? Who will you choose to journey with this year?
Reflections by:
Mark Quaranta
Mark Quaranta’s daily reflections, formerly known as Summons, are now The Victor’s Crown. Subscribe for free at TheVictorsCrown.com. Paid subscriptions support the work and unlock premium content. Explore Mark’s prayer journals at PrayOnPaper.com.