Getting to Know—and Pray with—Awake’s Patron Saints

Last Wednesday, Awake’s prayer team led a service to help participants learn more about our community’s patron saints and engage with them more deeply. Awake’s leaders chose these saints in 2023 after a period of careful discernment, with the hope that these holy people would provide inspiration and encouragement.

An icon of St. Michael the Archangel, painted by Lucy Huh 

“For some of us, these saints were old friends,” said Natalie Pucillo, a member of Awake’s leadership and prayer teams, at the start of the event. “But many of us have spent the year learning more from them and developing a deeper connection with them, praying that they help the Awake community be compassionate, survivor-centered, faithful, welcoming, humble, courageous, and hopeful. We’ve used them for inspiration and encouragement as we remember and learn from their stories and follow their examples.” 

The saints are Charles Lwanga, Catherine of Siena, Mary and Abraham of Edessa, Michael the Archangel, and Our Lady Undoer of Knots.

Participants heard a biography of each saint, and then a reflection about the saint written by a member of the Awake community. In one powerful moment, Awake associate director Meghan Fiebelkorn shared a moving reflection about her 2008 visit to the spot in Uganda where Charles Lawanga was martyred.

“I didn’t necessarily know it at the time,” Fiebelkorn said, “but now looking back, I see the Lord planting the seeds at that time of my own desire to stand in solidarity with victim survivors of abuse in the Church.” 

After these reflections, everyone broke into small groups to discuss how they could learn from and emulate the saints. To close out the service, participants came back together for an intercessory prayer to the patron saints.

A 33-minute recording of the service—without the small group discussions included—is available below. We also offer a sample of the service by sharing the information about St. Michael the Archangel, as well as the related reflection by Lucy Huh, a member of the Awake Survivor Advisory Panel.

St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, whose name means "Who is like God?", holds a significant place in Christian tradition. Often depicted as a warrior angel wielding a sword and holding the scales of justice, St. Michael is revered as a powerful defender against evil, a guide for souls in the afterlife, and a steadfast protector of the Church.

My personal connection to St. Michael emerged from a deeply painful experience as a survivor of clergy sexual abuse. In my darkest moments, when those meant to protect had betrayed their sacred duty, the image of St. Michael as a fierce defender against evil became a profound source of comfort and strength. I found myself drawn to his unwavering stance against injustice and his role as a protector of the vulnerable, qualities that resonated deeply with my own need for divine protection and justice.

During a transformative seven-day iconography retreat, I had the opportunity to paint St. Michael's icon which is pictured above. This process became a form of meditation and prayer, allowing me to engage with St. Michael's essence in a deeply personal and spiritual way. As I carefully applied each brushstroke, I felt a growing sense of his protective presence. The act of creating his image helped me internalize his qualities of strength, courage, and divine justice.

St. Michael's association with judgment, while challenging, has ultimately encouraged me to trust in a higher form of justice, even when earthly systems fail. This aspect of his character has been both comforting and empowering, helping me navigate the complex emotions that come with seeking accountability and healing.

The icon I painted now serves as a daily reminder of St. Michael's protection and strength. It stands as a powerful symbol of the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil. Through my connection with St. Michael, I've found the courage to continue my journey of healing, to reclaim a sense of safety and spiritual connection I once feared lost, and to stand up against injustice.

His example has inspired me to use my voice to advocate for other survivors and work towards preventing future abuse. In moments of doubt or despair, I look to the icon and remember the warrior spirit of St. Michael, reminding me that the fight against darkness is noble and necessary, even when it's difficult.

As I continue on my path of healing, I draw strength from St. Michael's example of courage, justice, and unwavering defense of divine good. My journey with St. Michael, from the depths of pain to the creation of his icon, has become an integral part of my spiritual recovery, offering hope and protection when I needed it most.