The Chicago-based publisher Loyola Press asked Petra Alexander, Director of Hispanic Affairs for the Diocese of San Bernardino, to write a daily devotional on the Saints for the year 2021. Published in Spanish, “365 Days Accompanied by the Saints,” reflects Alexander’s experience of the Saints as a lifelong Catholic in the Hispanic culture. To get a perspective on the book we interviewed the author:
What was your inspiration for writing this book?
The process of the V Encuentro raised several times the question of our belonging to Catholicism since the generations of grandparents. Near the Saints they grew in their faith, with them they endured their difficult times and the Saints were part of their family. And at the same time because the question is posed for the future. Will the second and third generations of Hispanics be Catholic? Will holiness motivate them? We must share this fire with the new generations.
How did you feel the presence of the Saints in your life?
In various ways. The Saints were from the first stories of my childhood, the first devotions I knew, figures I admired, writings, testimonies that have turned out to be endearing to me over time.
What is the importance of turning to the Saints for us as Catholics?
St. Pope John Paul II stated that the Saints return spring to the Church, they renew the church’s face, they rejuvenate it. There are Hispanics who have popularized the idea of looking to the Saints to “ask” for things, or make them famous for doing something good… and part of it is normal because knowing their lives and knowing their challenges or tribulations, an affinity is established. That is why there are patron saints that have been defined by the Church and others who have been made by the faith of the people.
Do you have a favorite saint?
Yes, quite a few: St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Jesus, St. Isidore the Laborer, St. Augustine, St. Hildergard, St. Damien of Molokai, St. Edith Stein, St. José Brochero…
What can we learn from the Saints?
Endless things, but substantially to apply the Gospel to our lives. Each Saint tells us in different ways that it is possible to follow Christ, in all cultures and in all human situations. Some went to the extreme of martyrdom, others to the creation of works, others achieved the transformation of their environments, others were simple and free … Seriously, they’re a continuous school.
Did you learn anything new when you wrote this book?
Each historical era offers challenges to the Church, and the Holy Spirit awakens the gifts to respond to it. We see it in the Saints who resisted faithfully in the various persecutions, in the early Church, in the missions of the East, in totalitarian governments… it helped me a lot to investigate Saints little known to Hispanics, both the past and the present ones. Constantly wondering what those lives tell us TODAY.
Why is it important to remember the Saints every day?
It seems to me that every day there is a ration of spirituality detached from God’s multiple grace. An almanac of Saints allows us to verify that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are real for our daily lives, and when we respond to God’s Grace, virtue and character develop.
We are all called to holiness, how can the Saints help us all to reach Holiness?
We Latinos say: “words inspire, but the example moves.” The holiness of real men and women always attracts. The Saints have indeed been missionary disciples, since the Apostles, the great teachers who have written and left us their reflections continue to teach us. And missionaries who have brought the faith to diverse peoples and cultures; the Mystics who have been soaked with amazing experiences of friendship with God … Approaching the Saints, knowing them, valuing them and loving them will give us another family, to which we will also be proud to belong.