A patron saint for drug addicts The patron saint of drug abusers is St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan who, with six friends, founded the Immaculata Movement (devoted to the conversion of sinners, opposition to anti-Catholic freemasonry, spread of the Miraculous Medal, and devotion to Mary and Jesus) and died a prisoner in Auschwitz. While imprisoned he ministered to other prisoners by administering Reconciliation, offering encouragement and consolation, conducting Mass, and distributing Communion created from smuggled bread and wine. In the camp, at age 47, he gave his life in the place of a married man with children who was chosen to die in retribution for the escape of another prisoner. Kolbe is also the patron saint of families, imprisoned people, journalists, and the pro-life movement. His feast day is August 14. - CatholicForum.com, FatherKolbe.com

“Before my mom died, my dad said, ‘Oh Jessie, he’s too old for an Easter basket,’” Carl told me.

Earlier, I had restrained myself from sharing my memory in the fishing aisle, yet he had just openly shared his.

“Oh, Carl, you’re never too old for an Easter basket,” I replied. On Good Friday, I handed him a homemade Easter basket and told him the same thing.

Carl has since been promoted and now works at another Wal-Mart. I don’t see him as often, and I miss him at the store. But we still keep in touch, and God seems to find ways to bring us together — like the time I was able to help him get back his lost wallet after the woman who had found it called me. Apparently mine was the only phone number in the wallet at the time.

So many blessings have resulted from the kindness Carl showed me on that September afternoon. It was when I was in the midst of despair that God chose to change not only that one moment, but my whole life. Someday I hope that my own son will turn away from the life he is leading and accept my love again, but no matter what, I am grateful that God brought Carl into my life. He has helped mend some of my brokenness and lifted my spirits. His kindness serves as a daily reminder to me that God often blesses us when we least expect it. CD

Michelle Ferrari is a pseudonym for a writer in the Southwest.