Imagine having a circle of friends who are always ready to listen, guide, and inspire you—friends who have walked the path of holiness and now dwell in God’s presence. Saints and angels are not distant figures confined to statues or stories; they are living companions eager to journey with us. As St. Thérèse of Lisieux said, “The good God does not need years to accomplish His work of love in a soul; one ray from His heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity.” Cultivating friendship with saints and angels makes it easier to open our hearts to that divine ray, as their holy lives constantly inspire us and their intercession powerfully supports us in our daily lives.

When we ask someone to be with us or accompany us, whether they join us depends on two conditions: first, whether they love and are willing to be with us; second, whether they are able to be with us. Sometimes, friends may dearly want to be by our side but are unable due to distance or other constraints. Others may be available but lack the desire to join us. However, saints and angels are unique—they are both fully able and deeply willing to be with us. Their love for us and their heavenly freedom ensure they can always be our companions. We should seize this extraordinary opportunity to build a friendship with them, inviting their guidance and inspiration into our lives.

Here are practical ways to grow in friendship with saints and angels, inviting their presence into your routine with warmth, joy, and intentionality.

1. Get to Know Your Heavenly Friends

The first step in any friendship is getting to know the other person. Start by reading about a saint’s life—choose one whose story resonates with you, perhaps a patron saint of your profession, hobby, or a challenge you face. For example, if you’re a student, you might connect with St. Thomas Aquinas, known for his wisdom. Spend a week diving into their biography, letters, or writings. As you read, note down virtues that stand out, such as St. Francis of Assisi’s humility or St. Teresa of Calcutta’s compassion. Reflect on how you can imitate these virtues in small, practical ways.

Practical Tip: As you read their life story treat the  days as if the saint is a guest staying at your home. Each morning, greet them with a simple prayer: “Good morning, St. Francis! Thank you for being with me today.” At night, bid them goodnight: “Good night, St. Francis. Help me rest in God’s peace.” This practice builds familiarity, making the saint feel like a close friend.

2. Invite Saints and Angels into Your Daily Routine

Saints and angels are not meant to be confined to formal prayers or church visits. Invite them into your everyday moments—whether you’re heading to work, studying, or running errands. For instance, if you’re worried about traffic, you might say, “St. Christopher, please guide me safely to work today.” If you arrive smoothly, thank them with a smile: “Thanks, St. Christopher, for the clear roads!” Even if there’s traffic, express gratitude: “St. Christopher, thank you for keeping me patient today.” This habit fosters a conversational relationship, as if they’re walking beside you.

Practical Tip: Assign specific tasks to saints or your guardian angel. For example, if you need to remember an important meeting, ask, “St. Anthony, please remind me about my 3 p.m. appointment.” When you recall it on time, thank them by name: “St. Anthony, you’re the best!” This builds a sense of teamwork with your heavenly friends.

3. Engage in Casual Conversations

Friendship thrives on casual, heartfelt exchanges, and your relationship with saints and angels can be just as personal. Talk to them throughout the day as you would a close friend. Share your joys, frustrations, and hopes. For example, while cooking, you might say, “St. Martha, any tips for this recipe?” or, when facing a tough decision, “St. Ignatius, help me discern what’s right.” These small moments of dialogue weave their presence into the fabric of your day.

As St. John Henry Newman reminds us, “We are not simply to believe, but to watch, to pray, to work, to hope, to seek Him in all things.” Speaking to saints casually helps us seek God in the ordinary, making every moment an opportunity for connection.

4. Entrust Others’ Intentions to Your Saintly Friends

When someone asks for your prayers, entrust their intention to a saint you have befriended. For example, if a friend is struggling with illness, you might say, “St. Peregrine, please intercede for my friend’s healing.” This practice not only strengthens your bond with the saint but also creates a network of prayer, linking your loved ones to heaven’s intercessors. It’s a beautiful way to extend your friendship with saints to those around you.

Practical Tip: Keep a small journal or  note app to track the  saint you have assigned to each intention. When the prayer is answered, thank the saint by name, reinforcing your trust in their companionship.

5. Celebrate Your Friendship with Gratitude

Gratitude deepens any relationship, and it’s no different with saints and angels. Acknowledge their presence in your life, whether through answered prayers or the quiet strength they provide. For example, if you feel St. Therese’s encouragement during a difficult day, say, “Thank you, Little Flower, for lifting my spirits.” This gratitude transforms your relationship into one of mutual love and trust.

St. Augustine beautifully captures this spirit: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.” By thanking saints and angels, we mirror this love, extending it to our heavenly companions.

6. Rotate Your Saintly Companions

To broaden your circle of heavenly friends, rotate the saints you focus on. After spending a week with one saint, move to another, treating each as a new friend visiting for a time. This keeps your spiritual life vibrant and helps you discover the diverse ways God works through His saints. For example, after a week with St. Joseph, the protector of families, you might spend the next with St. Catherine of Siena, known for her boldness.

So, start today. Pick a saint, say good morning, and invite them into your day. Share a laugh, a worry, or a hope. Over time, these heavenly friendships will become a source of joy, strength, and inspiration, guiding you ever closer to the heart of God.

Practical Tip: Create a monthly calendar, assigning a saint to each week. Greet them daily, read their writings, and reflect on their virtues. Over time, you’ll build a rich tapestry of friendships that inspire you in every season of life.

Why Befriend Saints and Angels?

Befriending saints and angels is more than a spiritual exercise—it’s a way to live in constant communion with heaven. They remind us that we are never alone, that God’s love surrounds us through His holy ones. As St. Josemaría Escrivá said, “You need to have the daring to say to the Lord: I want to be a saint. And since I know I can’t do it alone, I’m counting on the help of the saints.” By inviting saints and angels into our lives, we tap into their courage, wisdom, and love, growing closer to God through their friendship.