My Patron Saint for 2023 — St. Francis Xavier

Saint Francis Xavier preaching in Goa (1610), by André Reinoso

Choosing a special patron saint for a new year is an old custom that has found favor again in some spots. You can choose a saint who interests you or it can be a name drawn from a hat of potential saints (one is really leaning on divine inspiration at that point) or picked at random (try the saint's name generator). The idea is that one is being directed (with help) to become more aware of specific areas in life where special guidance might be necessary. 

I've  done it both ways, but not for some time. I think I hit an obscure saint and then forgot during the year. Ah well. Here we are facing a new year and a time for beginning again!

I remembered the patron saint for a year idea and almost instantly I got a lot hints from St. Francis Xavier. I mean a lot — I couldn't turn around without finding something fascinating or a point of common interest that we both shared. 

 So I took it as a match made in heaven especially since he spent tons of time in India. Any regular reader knows is a major contributor to our movie viewing — and by extension now we have learned more than any average American knows about the geography, culture, politics, religion and history of India. India is vast and complex. Our knowledge is not. But we do have a very "India-centric" household right now. 

Of course, there is much more to St. Francis Xavier. Read about him here. But he feels like a friend and I admire his life and love of God. I'm excited to have him as a traveling companion through the year. 

St. Francis Xavier, pray for me!