the saints // St. John the Beloved

My heart grew for the saints while I was in college. I was soaking up as much as I could about this faith that I was raised in. I loved it! Reading, reading, and reading some more as well as joining Catholic groups and ministries through our vibrant parish.

During my freshman year, I joined the on-campus bible study. It was such a gift! We were reading the gospel of John and I fell in love. Not only did I fall in love with his quiet but beautiful spirit and stunning way with words and storytelling, but I fell in love even more with my Savior through the eyes of His Beloved Apostle.

Because of St. John's beautiful fidelity and love for Our Lord, my heart stirred. He pointed to Christ in such a way I could feel the warmth and love my Savior had for me in a new way. It was all kinds of fantastic and romantic!

* * * * *

Fast-forward to bambino numero dos. The husband and I were chatting names the entire pregnancy! Names, names, names! We wait to find out the gender so we had to party in the name department for boys and girls which can be a bit of work.

Work aside, our little guy was due early February. I had many prayer intentions during that time and found that St. John Bosco's novena ended just a few days before our little guy's due date. At that time, all I was thinking about was St. John Bosco. He was the saint I was wanting. He was the one who was sharing my prayers with my Lord in a special way. To be honest, St. John the Beloved wasn't even on my radar!

Even up to the due date I was sure St. John Bosco would be our newest patron saint! If he was a boy - which, Linus was! See, we already had a girl name first go-around so there were no decisions to be made there. Enter my husband on the day of Linus' birth, and he shared he felt St. John the Beloved was the saint that would follow our little Linus all the days of his life, in prayer and intercession. He was met with some resistance, but I eventually met him there and am so thankful I did!

See, my love for this apostle had been piled over by years and years of discovering saint after saint after saint! My husband bringing us back to this wonderful saint was such a gift and there have been so many fruits that have been visible since too! Fruits of friendship within our family and around, growth in loyalty and love, the beautiful brotherhood my boys are constantly growing in, and so many more!

When I asked my husband, why St. John the Beloved, he said, similarly to St. Joseph (patron of our oldest) he was close to Our Lord during His time here on earth - always there, always present, always faithful, always loyal.

Done and done! What more could we pray for our sweet Linus, and for our whole little family? Stay near Him! Follow Him always, through thick and thin! Let yourself be consumed by the Love of your Savior and try to walk in this same beautiful Way!

I still heart St. John Bosco a ton, but I'm thankful for the years of intercession St. John the Beloved has shared with me in my younger years as well as now in our little family.

St. John, son of Zebedee and Salome, thunder brother of the apostle James; who was there in Christ's first year of ministry, who witnessed the raising of the Daughter of Jairus, the Transfiguration, the Agony in Gethsemane, who helped prepare and was present at the Last Supper, stood at the foot of the Cross and never abandoned our Lord during the Hour of the Passion; who Jesus entrusted Our Lady to, who was the first to reach the Tomb and the first to recognize the Risen Christ at the Lake of Tiberias; who helped Peter found His Church, and lived his days faithfully for Him who is Love, pray for us.

Hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into why we chose St. John the Apostle to be the patron Saint of one of our sons! 

(This post was originally shared with Gina over at Someday Saints.)

Also, to learn more about St. John the Apostle's history and patronage list, visit here and here. He covers so many areas! Some of my favorites are him being the patron saint of friendship, writers, and painters (my Linus has such a knack for the arts and I don't think this is a coincidence!).