Whether it’s your first name, middle name, or confirmation name, it’s important to acknowledge the saint you’re named after, especially on their feast day.
In France, it’s an opportunity to eat cake. In fact, some people bring pastries to work to offer to their colleagues on their saint’s day. Although, if you’re lucky, a thoughtful friend might give you a flower, or even buy you a cake instead.
While it might seem trivial to some people, it allows us to think about the saint we’re named after, and maybe even reflect on how they can influence our lives. This was just the case for a Carmelite sister on the feast day of her patron saint.
In a video posted by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, we see an elderly Sr. Elijah abandon her cane to virtually run up and collect the flower she was given on the feast day of St. Elijah.
As the post explains:
“We have a beautiful custom in Carmel of greeting our feast day Sister with song, offering flowers. In this case, a flower was offered on behalf of all. Our little Sister made a beeline over without using her cane just to show that she could. She’s rightly named after St. Elijah!”
The sheer joy on the sister’s face is palpable, and it’s almost as if the saint himself is involved in giving the sister a real spring in her step!
The great news is you don’t have to be a religious to join in with this wonderful tradition. Whether it’s your own name day, your children, or a friend, celebrate it in song, colorful blooms, and maybe follow the French and treat yourselves to some delicious cake or pastries!
And today we celebrate...