You might not want to think about a return back to school or work now that summer is over, but it’s inevitable. For some of us, it’s the start of something new and exciting. For others, it’s a return to a place that isn’t always rainbows and sunshine. In fact, it can be downright awful due to circumstances beyond our control.
If you fall into the latter category, you may want to get acquainted with the following four patron saints of difficult school and/or work-related situations.
Impatience, St. Cyprian
A combination of stubbornness and letting his temper get the best of him earned him the reputation of being fiery and impatient. He later amended this by writing solid advice in the book, On the Advantage of Patience. Next time you feel like you’re going to lose your cool because a coworker is being insufferable or you just want to get out of your lecture that keeps dragging, ask for his intercession.
A Toxic Environment, St. Walter of Pontoise
Poor St. Walter. He was chosen to become the abbot of a Benedictine monastery against his will. The monks at the monastery were so unruly that St. Walter ended up fleeing a couple of times! He only stayed for good when Pope Gregory VII forbid him from ever leaving again. Yes, really. It was only then that he really fought back against the corruption in the monastery. He was imprisoned by those who didn’t want him to mess with their shady affairs but that only led him to dedicate himself more to the cause. If you find yourself feeling trapped in a stressful situation, whether it be work or in a lecture hall, be sure to call upon St. Walter’s help.
Discrimination, St. Martin de Porres
It’s sad to have to add this topic to the post but, let’s be real, discrimination exists. Whether it’s race or faith-based, discrimination seems to be everywhere. If you find yourself being the target of discrimination, give St. Martin de Porres a shout. As the natural son of a freed slave and a Spanish “gentleman” who refused acknowledge St. Martin as his son, St. Martin knew what it was like to have people judged and sneer based on circumstances beyond his control. Even some of the friars at the priory where he was ultimately allowed to enter (no person of African or Indian descent was allowed to enter the religious life in Peru at the time) mocked him. Still, none of it made him into a bitter or hardened person. Pray that, like St. Martin, you may rise above the hate.
Desperate causes, St. Jude Thaddeus
We’ve all been there: no matter how hard we try to pull something off, no matter how much we prepare, things don’t always go according to plan. It could be a big project you worked on or an obstacle that threatens to derail other plans you might’ve already put into motion. Whatever the problem is, St. Jude has your back. Many people used to (and surprisingly still do) confuse St. Jude with Judas Iscariot which is why devotion to this great saint took time to get established. Imagine being a Catholic in the early days when the confusion was still strong; being so “desperate” that you’d be willing to call upon the intercession of someone you weren’t sure was a legitimate saint. Well, now that you know he’s the real deal, don’t be afraid to invoke his intercession. His intercession brought home the stubbornly lapsed Catholic whose post you’re now reading after 8 years away from the Church so imagine what he can do for you.
Of course, there are a number of great saints out there that can you can choose to help your particular situation. Still, these 4 great saints are great to know if you just “can’t.” Remember their names and don’t forget to pass them along if you find other coworkers or classmates in similar situations.
Sts. Cyprian, Walter of Pontoise, Martin de Porres, and Jude Thaddeus, pray for us!
