The feast of all the unknown saints now in heaven. The Church reminds us that sanctity is within everyone’s reach. Through the dogma of the Communion of Saints we help one another achieve sanctity. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1677)
The Solemnity of All Saints
Let us all rejoice in the Lord on this Solemnity of All the Saints! Ours is a sheer, limpid joy, a strengthening one, like that found in a big family, when it is the kind having its roots there, drawing the new blood of its own life and its own spiritual identity from there.
With our spirit today we are immersed in this numberless host of saints, of the saved. They offer us courage and sing together a chorus of glory to Him whom the psalmists call “the God of my gladness and joy” (Ps 43:4). At the center of this communion is God himself. He not only calls us to holiness but he overcomes our sins.
We should always sing a hymn of thanksgiving to the Lord, as Mary did, so as to joyfully proclaim the bounty of the Father “for having made you worthy to share the lot of the saints in light” (Col 1:12). So the Feast of All Saints calls upon us never to fall back only on ourselves, but to look to the Lord so as to be radiant (cf Ps 34:6). Not to presume on our own strength but to trust as sons in him who have loved us, never to grow weary of doing good.
All the saints have ever been, and are, poor in spirit, meek, afflicted, hungry and thirsty for justice, merciful, pure of heart, peacemakers, persecuted because of the Gospel. They have been these things in varying degrees. We have to be like them. “God’s will” is our sanctification. (cf 1 Thess 4:3)
Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p379
Sanctification through ordinary life
Pope John Paul II has pointed out that a wealth of Christian truth is at the core of the Liturgy, especially on the Feast of All Saints. Here lies the fount of all holiness, God himself. The supernatural last end of universal redemption is signified in the Holy Mass, the source of sanctity for all who strive to practise the Beatitudes as described by Our Lord.
From the Mass comes an indestructible hope in future glory and here we find the key to the relationship between suffering and salvation. The Pope emphasizes: “... the fundamental dimension of the feast we celebrate today is joy. The experience is similar to what we savour in a large family where we are very much at home.” (cf John Paul II, “Homily”, 1 November 1980)
Our Mother Church invites us to recall in a special way those who experienced difficulties and temptations similar to ours during life, yet in the end triumphed over them. “There was a great multitude, no man could count, from every nation, from all tribes and tongues.” (Rev 7:9) “They are sealed on the forehead as servants of God.” (cf Rev 7:3)
Our intercessors for various needs. The seal they receive and their white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb are symbols of Baptism, the sacrament of incorporation into Christ, a life of grace later renewed through other Sacraments, especially Penance and the Eucharist.
“A magnificent panorama of lay men and women who through the activity of each day’s task were tireless workers in the Lord’s vineyard. After passing unnoticed and perhaps being misunderstood by the high and mighty they were lovingly greeted by God our Father. They were humble yet great labourers for growth of the kingdom of God in history.” (John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, “Christifideles laici”, 30 December 1988)
Throughout life we are called to the fullness of Love which requires a struggle against our passions and inordinate tendencies. We must make a constant effort to improve, since “sanctity does not depend on one’s state in life: single, married, widower, or priest; but on our personal correspondence with the grace God grants each one of us.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “In Love with the Church”, 67)
The Church reminds everyone, the worker who takes up his trade or profession each morning, the mother of a family committed to the daily keeping of the home, should sanctify themselves by faithfully fulfilling their daily duties. (cf John Paul II, op cit)
Today we share St Theresa’s prayer to the Blessed in heaven. She will be among those to hear our prayer: “O holy ones who knew how to prepare so delightful an inheritance, help us now that you are so near the fount of all holiness. Draw water for those of us who are perishing from thirst.” (St Theresa, “Exclamations of the Soul to God”, 13:4)
Many saints in heaven perhaps did nothing great while on earth. However, they fulfilled their modest daily duties as best they could. Sometimes they gave in to impatience, laziness or pride; perhaps even sinned gravely. But they repented right away and took advantage of the sacrament of Reconciliation to begin anew.
At times the saints were moved to tears, but they knew and put into practice the words of Our Lord: “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28) The Blessed always lean on Christ for support and often visit him in the Tabernacle to draw renewed energy from his presence there.
A multitude of friends awaits. “The light of their example shines down on us, and makes it easier to see what we ought to do. They can help us with their prayers, strong prayers, wise prayers, when ours are so feeble and so blind. When we look out on a November evening, and see the sky all studded with stars, think of those innumerable saints in heaven all ready to help us.” (cf RA Knox, “Sermon”, 1 November 1950)
They fill us with joy amidst any trials we need to undergo. Our Blessed Mother awaits us in heaven, too. She will offer her hand to take us into the presence of her Son and of our faithful departed loved ones who even now watch over us.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:235-41
Communion of the Saints -- “The communion of the saints. How shall I explain it to you? You know what blood transfusions can do for the body? Well, that’s what the communion of the saints does for the soul.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 544)
Feast of All Saints, instituted in honour of Our Lady and all the saints, at Rome, by Pope Boniface IV, about the year 608, and, since, in all churches of Christendom by Pope Gregory IV, about the year 829, at the prayer of Louis la Debonnairo, who made a decree for its observance in all his dominions. — Baronius on the Martyrologium Romanum. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm).
Feast of All Saints, instituted in honor of Our Lady and all saints in 608. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html).
Our Lady of the Palm. Cadiz, Spain. (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).
Our Lady, Mother of Divine Providence. (“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, p630).
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