Moment of Oneness, October 29, 2025 - Prepared by Suzanne De Froy, Sharon Beneteau, Kathy Worotny

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81507551772
Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772
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A Reflection on the Saints and Spiritual Wisdom

Opening Song – Pachelbel Canon 

https://youtu.be/NlprozGcs80?si=2XJknE3kzvAchOuX

A reading adapted from writings by Frederick Bartels

At every liturgy gathering we recite the Statement of Faith, saying, “We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's prophets, mystics, and saints.”  This coming weekend we will be remembering saints whose eternal spirit lives on. Their lives were guided by the teachings of Jesus believing that he will be forever “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).  Inspired to live ‘the ‘way’ each provided gifts of service in their own way through acts of mercy and love.  

Generally, they were not popular cultural figures as their day-to-day lives were hidden in God, and they were often unknown to the worldly multitude.  Each saint lived a unique life and provided an exemplary example of what it means to live an earthly human life to its fullest.  By offering humankind a pattern of a blessed life worthy of duplication they show us how a compassionate vision for humanity can materialize.

Christians also believe that saints can be called upon to offer guidance to help us thrive when facing difficult times: to focus beyond that which we can see with our eyes; to seize moments that will never come our way again, and, to walk with the Spirit so our material earthly desires do not overwhelm us.  As they are now living in the eternal Christ, saints are available to reawaken a deeper sense of presence in every moment we encounter.  They reflect the promise given to us in Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Prayers open a pathway that will help foster a spiritual relationship, so we are never alone. Listen to the whispers, as the answers may never be straight forward and may arrive in unexpected ways.

A reading from the writings of Joyce Sequichie-Hifler: [A Cherokee Feast of Days]

To be convinced that we are never alone in whatever place or situation we find ourselves in, is to have exceptional wisdom.  When that kind of wisdom is there and nothing can shake it, a need to share is strong.  But everybody doesn’t have this gift.  For whatever reason they may not want it or can’t believe that anyone else has access to this deep wisdom.  So, we shouldn’t try to convince them.

If we truly believe that we are never alone, experiences will occur as we go along.  The Great Spirit speaks to us in sweet languages, so unique we cannot miss the importance of what is said.  To receive such a gift can change a situation from deep fear to one of total contentment and love.

A wisdom saying attributed to Lone Wolf:

I heard the mockingbird singing in the moonlight.  I knew at that moment I would get well.

 

Moments of Intention and Inspiration

Please think about your favourite saint, offer an intention or consider sharing a time when you turned to your saint for their wisdom.

Closing with Dante’s Prayer: A contemplative quest to find light in the darkest of moments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHvj1cxOs0 

When the dark wood fell before me, and all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way, I tilled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see, though you came to me in the night.
When the dawn seemed forever lost, you showed me your love in the light of the stars.

Cast your eyes on the ocean. Cast your soul to the sea.
When the dark night seems endless … Please remember me

Then the mountain rose before me, by the deep well of desire.
From the fountain of forgiveness, beyond the ice and the fire

Cast your eyes on the ocean.  Cast your soul to the sea.
When the dark night seems endless … Please remember me

Though we share this humble path, alone, how fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly to touch the face of the stars

Breathe life into this feeble heart.  Lift this mortal veil of fear.
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears.  

We'll rise above these earthly cares.

Cast your eyes on the ocean.  Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless … Please remember me

 

Bartels, F. (2023, Oct 31).  All Saints:  Why are the saints important in our everyday lives?  Joy in Truth. https://joyintruth.com/all-saints-why-are-the-saints-important-in-our-everyday-lives/

McKennitt, L. (n.d.) Dante’s Prayer.  YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHvj1cxOs0 

Note:  Featured with the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir led by Nikolai Korniev

Sequichie-Hifler, J. (1992).  A Cherokee Feast of Days.  Council Oak Publishing Co., Inc. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Additional Resource:

Bell, J. (2024, May 8) A Commentary:  The Meaning Behind The Song: Dante’s Prayer by Loreena McKennitt.  https://beatcrave.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-dantes-prayer-by-loreena-mckennitt/