I am humbled and grateful each time God reveals to us another beautiful facet of our Church. Case in point: the Oct. 4 beatification of Sister of Charity Miriam Teresa Demjanovich (1901-1927) — the first beatification to be held on U.S. soil.
Blessed Miriam Teresa joins a full month of holy souls, including a Blessed (John Henry Newman, Oct. 10), founders of congregations (Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4; Bruno, Oct. 6; and Paul of the Cross, Oct. 20), martyrs (Ignatius of Antioch, Oct. 17; and Isaac Jogues and Rene Goupil, Oct. 19), doctors of the Church (Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Oct. 1; and Teresa of Avila, Oct. 15) and two of the Church’s newest saints (Pope John XXIII, Oct. 11; and Pope John Paul II, Oct. 22).

The beatification of Miriam Demjanovich is notable in that, despite personal trials and the challenging times our Church finds itself in, there are always examples to light the way to Christ for us. Blessed Miriam Teresa is another one of those we can turn to in prayer.

Even though we know the saints belong to all of us, not solely one country or another, it’s always comforting to know there’s a saint from our own corner of the world to rely on.

Blessed Miriam Teresa, pray for us.