keep your heart open.

Finding the fiery eyes of St Michael in the freedom fighter, standing in the protest in black bloc and hurling a tear gas canister back at the cops before it can hurt anyone.

Finding St. Paul in the person producing scathing zine after zine, scattering them throughout churches when the sanctuary’s empty and in the streets, filled with long letters criticizing the failures of those who do not love as they ought to love.

Finding St. Hildegard in the chronically ill academic, gifted with extraordinary visions and analysis and channeling it into frenzied work between pouring her heart out in advice to anyone who needs it late at night in the school library.

Finding St. Julian in the old lady at the bus stop who shares a cigarette and tells you that it’s okay, honey, everything’s about love, and god doesn’t judge you for feeling like you’re at rock bottom.

Finding St. Theresè in the nun, the custodian, the lunch lady, the street sweeper, the child who stays behind to pick up after the others before leaving, serving others in love and humility with a smile on her face and moving others to gentleness in return.

Finding St. Francis in the park ranger, in the conservation activist, in the climate advocate, demanding care for the poor and the non human peoples of the world.

Finding St. Joan of Arc in the youth movements for justice, in the young students catalyzing change by refusing to just be seen and not heard, in the community leaders and defenders and your older sibling who teaches you how to hold your head up and punch harder if someone tries to punch you.

Finding St. Dismas in the shoplifter, who meets your eyes before you look away and pretend to not see anything, in the confession booth, in the person shunned by the rest of the parish who lives and breathes devotion

Finding St. Martha in the housewife, the cleaning lady, the waitress, the service worker, who shoulders the weight of responsibility with ease and strength beyond imagination.

Finding St. Mary Magdalene in the death doula, the mortician, the funeral agent who prepare the body after death, and ensure it is properly cared for during and after the burial.

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