SAINT OF THE DAY
WITH UNCLE EDDY
Navigating today’s world is tough and all of us could use a nudge in the right direction. Figuring out the right path to take at work, college, or in social situations is not always easy. Looking to the lives of the saints can give us the insights we need.
Written by Fr. John Bartunek, LC, Uncle Eddy’s Saint of the Day is a fictional series of letters written by a man who has been imprisoned for the Catholic Faith. Using the saints of the day as examples, Uncle Eddy pens a daily letter with spiritual advice to his many nieces and nephews.
St Laurence O’Toole
Dear Larry, Do I detect an air of surprise in your last note? But why are you surprised? Are you the first to be spoken badly of by the very people you are trying to help? Hardly. If they are trying to brand you “arch conservative” and “homophobic” and “misogynist” and “hypocritical” simply because you are doing what you can to get the Church’s teaching aired in that relativism-infested atmosphere on campus, that’s par for the course. “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you on my account…” (Matthew 5:11), ...
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St Hilarion
Dear Hilary, I share your sadness about Bruce. As the old saying goes, it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. I do not, however, share your surprise. Yes, the ubiquitous campaigns against drunk driving have raised consciousness about its dangers, but have they gone to the heart of ...
St Caprasius
Dear Cody, Straight A’s on your midterms, eh? Congrats. But can I ask you, are you studying for your exams, or are you studying for life? All the information you spilled into those little exam booklets – is it nourishing your soul, or just serving as fertilizer for your report ...
St Isaac Jogues and St John de Brebeuf and Companions
Dear Isis, I had a bit of free time on my hands, so I was hacking around the Web (in accordance with the limits that are imposed on me here in my cozy little prison, of course). Guess what I came across? Yes indeedy, I ran across your current credit ...
St Luke
Dear Lu, Your note about the religious studies classes you are taking intrigued me. I have always been interested in great intellectuals who try to reduce man’s thirst for God to neat sociological formulas. Do keep sending me articles and updates; I’ll look forward to following along. As for yourself, ...
St Ignatius of Antioch
Dear Nacho, I understand your consternation. Liturgical oddities and deviations from Church norms can cause confusion and division, if nothing worse. But the solution does not lie in publicly criticizing your bishop. Not all bishops are saints, and some may even betray their sacred trust (like Judas), but they are ...
St Margaret Mary Alacoque
Dear Marge, It doesn’t surprise me that your commendable and considerable efforts to get that sorority back into shape have gone unacknowledged. Now everyone is enjoying a lively and healthy atmosphere and engaging in productive and worthy activities, and no one gives you any thanks at all – they even ...
St Theresa of Avila
Dear Abigail, Trepidation does not become you. It is the devil’s ploy. Between the lines of your notes I can read the eagerness and excitement you feel at the prospect of giving yourself entirely to our Lord. In my humble opinion, those indications should influence you much more than the ...
St Callistus
Dear Kelly, Some modern philosophers deprecate Christians because we believe in (and hope for) eternal life in heaven. They praise those stoic souls who courageously live decent lives here on earth for the sheer decency of it, though they have no thought of everlasting reward. Your bioethics professor strikes me ...
St Edward the Confessor
Dear Eddie, Today, once again, God has granted that both of us are still alive on the anniversary of our namesake. Let us thank him together for the wonderful (and often overlooked) gift of existence. I am pleased to hear of your plans to go into civil service (though I ...
St Edwin
Dear Ed, I think I have an answer for you. From the description you gave me in your last note, I can tell that some of your frustration is resulting from your defensive attitude. As you discuss the faith with your peers, and try to convince your professors and family ...
St Gummarus
Dear Gomer, You do seem to have terrible luck with roommates. Of course, perhaps your roommate is saying the same thing (we all tend to see quite clearly the “speck” in our neighbor’s eye, though a “board” is stuck in our own). In any case, I would encourage you to ...
St Francis Borgia
Dear Frank, Beware of success, my talented young nephew. You have been given so many talents and opportunities, and you have been so diligent in taking advantage of them, and you are already beginning to taste their sweet fruit… Nothing wrong with that, mind you – but it will bring ...
