All Saints (Solemnity)
I had a vision of a great multitude. (Revelation 7:9)
What does it take to become a saint? The Church does a thorough examination before declaring that a person is definitively in heaven and is worthy of universal honor. They comb through the person’s writings. They look for miracles. They take testimony from friends, family members, and other witnesses. They even appoint a “devil’s advocate” whose job is to argue against canonization—just to be sure. When all the requirements are met, the pope then declares the person a capital-S saint—someone whom all believers can look to as an example of heroic holiness.
But don’t let this rigorous investigation give you the wrong impression. Countless more men and women are in heaven right now singing the song of triumph that the capital-S saints sing. It’s these anonymous, unacknowledged small-S saints, whom we honor today. There are millions of them, spanning every century and every generation since the birth of the Church.
So what does it take to become a small-S saint? Take a look around, and you’ll see. Think of the people whose love for Christ has inspired you. Think of the people whose dedication to service has touched your heart. Think of the people who seem always to have a peaceful disposition. Think of the people who have made you want to press on in faith. People like these are gifts from God. They encourage us and lift our eyes to heaven.
Today is a day to thank God for the blessings that all these small-S saints have been in your life. It’s also a day to think about the effect you have on other people. You may not consider yourself a saint, but your witness can make a difference. Jesus said that anyone who is poor in spirit, merciful, pure of heart, or peaceable is blessed. And holiness always stands out.
“Jesus, thank you for the saints you have placed in my life. Lord, I want to join that great multitude in heaven.”
Psalm 24:1-6
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)
Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Last conversations, 15/07/1897 (©Institute of Carmelite studies)
The communion of saints
Sister Marie of the Eucharist wanted to light the candles for a procession; she had no matches; however, seeing the little lamp which was burning in front of the relics, she approached it. Alas, it was half out; there remained only a feeble glimmer on its blackened wick. She succeeded in lighting her candle from it, and with this candle, she lighted those of the whole community. It was, therefore, the half-extinguished little lamp which had produced all these beautiful flames which, in their turn, could produce an infinity of others and even light the whole universe. Nevertheless, it would always be the little lamp which would be first cause of all this light. How could the beautiful flames boast of having produced this fire, when they themselves were lighted with such a small spark?
It is the same with the Communion of Saints. Very often, without our knowing it, the graces and lights that we receive are due to a hidden soul, for God wills that the saints communicate grace to each other through prayer with great love, with a love much greater than that of a family, and even the most perfect family on earth. How often have I thought that I may owe all the graces I've received to the prayers of a person who begged them from God for me, and whom I shall know only in heaven. Yes, a very little spark will be capable of giving birth to great lights in the Church, like the Doctors and Martyrs, who will undoubtedly be higher in heaven that the spark; but how could anyone think that their glory will not become his? In heaven, we shall not meet with indifferent glances, because all the elect will discover that they owe to each other the graces that merited the crown for them.