Helping them become Saints.

I am a mom. I am a wife. I am responsible for 5 souls other than my own. I have to help each of the members of my family reach sainthood. What a huge responsibility. A bit daunting, but I'll take the challenge.

For this post I want to focus on my eldest child, Catherine.

It has become very clear to me that she is called to become something great. Now, I am not a boastful parent. I don't save artwork from school, I don't post about every accomplishment (big or small), I don't claim to be raising geniuses. I do believe that my children are the best and most beautiful beings in the world (but doesn't every mom believe that to be true of their own children?).

This realization came to me over the course of several days and several key events.

Event 1. The Jesse Tree - My mom bought us an Advent Calendar, that was from Lego. When I saw that is was actually just a Christmas countdown I decided I should counter it with something Jesus focused. So I picked the Jesse Tree as the Jesus focused thing. Well, this got Catherine very excited and she was sure to keep me on task. If we missed a day she made sure that we got caught up. After reading the various biblical passages she would often ask questions or ask if she could read the story on her own. It ended up being a great experience overall, and I can't wait to try it again next year.

Event 2 The Bible - I think between the Jesse Tree and Religion classes at school Catherine has been really interested in the Bible. So much so that it was at the top of her Christmas wish list. Of course I got her one. But I refused to get just another children's bible with the abbreviated stories. I did a little research and found the Bible in full text in a translation meant for 6-12 yrs of age. When Catherine opened it on Christmas morning she was very excited. That weekend she started digging through it. One of the boys got a veggie tales dvd based on the Jonah story so Catherine looked it up to read about it. She was looking up Daniel, because that's another story that she likes. She's already requested the tabs you can put in to mark the books of the Bible (just like mine). I taught her how to read the references and she wants to be able to look up references and read them on her own. Also, she could not be more excited about the thought of having her Bible blessed. So we took it to church and the pastor of our parish blessed it for her after mass. He then talked with her for a few minutes about the Bible and Catherine told him how excited she was to discover the Ten Commandments.

Event 3 Ten Commandments - This past week Catherine was misbehaving (see she's not perfect). Whatever the event was it spun into an argument laced with major attitude. So I looked at her and said "Do you remember how excited you were to read the Ten Commandments? Do you know what number 5 is?" Her response: "Yes, it's respect your mom and dad!"

So there you have it she's 6 years old and she wasn't supposed to know the answer she was supposed to say no. Then I would have calmly explained to her what it is and what it means, and how she was not obeying the commandments at that moment. Instead she caught me off guard and I had to rework my lecture. Of course her knowing what the commandments are and that she broke one lead her to ask me how does she make her sins better?

Event 4 Holy Family Homily - On the Feast of the Holy Family our pastor gave the beautiful homily about the importance of a God-centered family. He spoke of how the families that keep centered on God are the ones that are the strongest. There was a whole lot more in the homily but that was several weeks ago and I'm lucky if I get the gist of it each week. Well... a few days later Catherine is being little miss helpful. All day she was doing things for me. Always around the corner asking me: what can I do to help? Of course I kept her busy. Sorting socks, putting clean clothes away, emptying the dishwasher, taking down recycling... Halfway through the day Catherine looks at me and says: Mom, does me being helpful help keep God centered in our family? Cause Msgr. said that the kids job in the family is to be helpful. And I think we should go to church on New Years Day...

I was stunned to say the least. Not only is she being helpful, but she's doing it because she understands it to be God's will for her.

Event 5 Angel Dreams - During the holidays Catherine came to me in the middle of the night to tell me about a dream she had. It was 3am so I barely remember what she said. I know she wasn't scared just concerned as to what it meant. What I do remember is that she dreamt that the Angel Gabriel came to her and was giving her a job to do. When she was done telling me her story this Mother of the Year right her sent her back to bed. I laid there thinking: What in the world am I going to do with her? She's got big Angels talking to her!!!

Event 6 Bring on the Blessings - Yesterday one of the Priests visited Catherine's class, and she told me that the best part of Fr. Hoffa's visit is that he gives a blessing before he leaves. Catherine says she just loves getting a blessing. She also learned two big A words in class. Assumption and Ascension. And she thinks both of those words are cool (even if they are hard to say). Apparently the priests visit often (as they should), and she looks forward to those extra blessings.

So there you have it. A quick summary of what I see as signs of Catherine's call to greatness. Truth be told, all of this scares me. Why? I am afraid of making a mistake. What if I do something that steers her onto the wrong path? How do I ensure that she follows God's plan?

Clearly she is going to be something amazing, I want to be there for it. I want to watch God's plan unfold in her. I want to see her enter the gates of heaven crowned a saint. Most of all, I don't want to get in the way. I don't want to inhibit her in anyway. How do I do that?

For now I will pray.

Saint Catherine, pray for us

Saint Therese, pray for us

All you holy men and women, pray for us