I don’t know about you, but on our property, we name things. They may not always be very creative names, such as “The Granary,” but then there are things like “Grandpa’s Hill” or “The Cocoa Hill.” Neither is especially obvious to the unacquainted, but to our family, it’s a perfectly logical explanation. A few years ago, I started numbering my garden beds to help the family keep track of things, and then last fall, I began praying over homestead dedications, taking the idea of naming things a step further.

I spent all of last year praying and pondering over how to make our homestead a “liturgical homestead.” What could I do to really bring our faith alive in all things? Last year was hectic and intense, and I didn’t get to work outside as much as I would have liked, but when we finally built our chicken coop, inspired by the book “Farming and Homesteading with the Saints,” I decided to name our coop, putting our flock under the patronage of a saint. We blessed the coop after it was finished, blessed the flock, and I named it “St. Pharaildis’s Flock.” Each day I go in there, I sing a benediction to the chickens (and our goose), and I finish my chores by saying “St. Pharaildis, pray for us. Thank you for the eggs, ladies!”

I had never felt quite so giddy or good about anything on our homestead as when we made that change. It’s a reminder for me to appreciate the gifts of God, and to care for His Creation as is appropriate.

The decision to put things under the care of the saints is one that is being slowly implemented. We’re still praying to find the right saint for our nursery/orchard/business. Actually, we’re still seeking saints for just about everything. All last year, I prayed over a saint for the pigs, and I ended up choosing St. Anthony the Abbot. I was a little reluctant because the connection seems a bit tentative to me he kept coming to my attention. Anthony the Great is depicted with a pig, and there are several explanations. Some say it is representative of his battles with the devil, others say that it was due to a pig helping him keep track of the hours, and yet others say that it is because he is known as the patron of those with skin diseases (particularly ergotism, known as St. Anthony’s fire) as they were often treated with lard to help reduce inflammation. The Hospitallers of St. Anthony associated with him also raised pigs or kept them in order to have the lard to treat others with skin disease. Another story says that St. Anthony cured a pig and befriended it. Whatever the truth behind the connection, we are seeking his intercession for our pigs.

The new pigs arrived over the weekend. I didn’t have time prior to prepare the blessing or the things I want for saintly intercessions, but when things when a little haywire, I knew exactly who turn to, to ask for extra prayers! The signage is made and ready to be installed after we get the pigs situated where they will spend the summer. Acknowledging our brother in Christ, St. Anthony (or any of the saints), stresses our dependence on others for wisdom and knowledge, our need for help, that we are not just individual believers, but part of a Body.

I had a new idea for dedication the other day while I took a break from planting potatoes and corn. I stopped to watch the white smoke hailing the election of our next pope. While watching the announcement of this new shepherd, I thought about what a terrible burden the papacy must be and how difficult a job it is. Whomever would become the next pope, he would have to leave behind his home, his family and friends, practically everything, never to return again in the same way. To be the pope is to be responsible in a serious way, for the souls of the whole world.

I continued to mull over these thoughts after listening to Pope Leo XIV’s first public address as I went back out to finish planting for the day. I decided to name my potato patch for him, not because I think he’ll intercede for me in a special way or anything like that, but because it’s a reminder to me to pray for our pope, and for his intentions. How often did I fail to do that with Pope Francis? Sadly, far too often.

My back is grateful for the seeder we purchased a few years ago for things like planting corn, but my soul is grateful for things like hand-sowing, weeding, and hilling potatoes. Why? Because this is the time when I can converse with God the best. Not only do I speak to Him, but He speaks to me. You will never find me in the garden listening to music or podcasts, because God is easiest to hear in the silence. I might be singing hymns at the top of my lungs, muttering my frustrations, or seem distracted in thought. Not every moment is intentionally prayerful, but I probably pray the most in the garden and in my physical work. That’s why I decided to name the potato patch after the new pope. I can pray about a lot of things, and I should. But if we all dedicated a growing-season’s worth of garden time to praying for our Pontiff, how different would things be?

I’m sure I’ll be adding more signs to different portions of the land as we continue to add homestead dedications as we continue to pray over the care of it all. Please join me in praying for discernment!

In Christ,
Danielle