Five Saintly New Year’s Resolutions
Considering making some New Year’s resolutions? Developing healthy physical habits is always an admirable goal, but perhaps it’s time to take it a step further and resolve to acquire a virtue or shed a vice in this new year. It is always helpful to look at the lives of the saints when examining our own faith journey. After all, saints were human beings who experienced the same struggles as we do to live their lives well each day and hear God’s call for them. So let’s glean some wisdom from our heavenly friends in order to take that first step in deepening our relationship with God.
Considering making some New Year’s resolutions? Developing healthy physical habits is always an admirable goal, but perhaps it’s time to take it a step further and resolve to acquire a virtue or shed a vice in this new year. It is always helpful to look at the lives of the saints when examining our own faith journey. After all, saints were human beings who experienced the same struggles as we do to live their lives well each day and hear God’s call for them. So let’s glean some wisdom from our heavenly friends in order to take that first step in deepening our relationship with God.
Manage time well
St. Carlo Acutis | Carlo, a millennial saint who died when he was just 15, loved video games. However, he understood their dangers and so limited himself to playing only two hours per week. Instead, he focused on building relationships, spending time with family and friends and developing meaningful hobbies. He even taught himself coding to create a website dedicated to Eucharistic miracles! The saintly teenager modeled moderation in the use of technology and can encourage us to consider how to be more intentional about focusing on the people God has placed in our lives.
See Jesus in others
St. Teresa of Calcutta | Mother Teresa rescued the dying and destitute from the streets of Calcutta. She cared for patients suffering from AIDS, leprosy and other diseases with such tenderness that many commented they felt truly loved for the first time with the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. What was Mother Teresa’s secret? She saw Jesus in others. In this new year, let’s take some time to reflect upon the people in whom we see Jesus and those in whom we struggle to do so. Let us pray for the grace to see the presence of Jesus in our daily encounters, and remember Mother Teresa’s words that whatever we do for others, we do for Christ.
Begin your day with God
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) | As a former philosopher and later Carmelite nun, Edith Stein was accustomed to spending time in deep reflection. She once wrote that “the first hour of your day belongs to God.” Just as Edith Stein began her day with God, we, too, can kickstart our day by intentionally giving God the day’s first 10 or 15 minutes. Pray the morning offering, the Angelus, read the daily Mass readings if you can’t make it to Mass, or simply ask God for his grace and help in the upcoming day.
Practice almsgiving
St. Martin of Tours | One night the Roman soldier encountered a shivering beggar on the streets of Amies, Gaul. Martin grabbed his sword, halved his cloak and gave it to the homeless man. Later, Martin dreamt of the beggar, who revealed himself to be Christ. Let us prayerfully consider how to be good stewards of our resources, and examine a particular resource each month (clothes, shoes, household items, money) to see how we can share them with the poor.
Read a spiritual book
St. Ignatius of Loyola | A cannonball shattered the young Spanish soldier’s leg, leaving him hospitalized for a year and ending his dreams of conquest. While recovering, Ignatius requested books on chivalry, but instead received a book of the Gospels and a book of the lives of the saints. Soon thereafter, his heroes were no longer military victors but rather holy men and women. Upon recovering, he changed his life and dedicated himself to God’s service. Our lives, too, can be enhanced and enriched by spiritual reading. Choose a book to read and pray through this year – perhaps on a saint’s life, a specific devotion or the Eucharist.
Whatever your new year’s resolutions may be, seek the intercession of the saints! Invoke their aid and allow them to lead you closer to God.
Maria Cintorino holds a degree in theology. Her writings have appeared in several publications including Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Our Sunday Visitor and the National Catholic Register.
