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     This weekend the Church rejoices together with all the faithful to commemorate the lives of the Saints who have gone before us.  We remember them in our liturgy as normal people who have sacrificed their lives to become "imitators of Christ" as the great St. Paul would say.  Many of them were powerful preachers, priests, bishops, even Popes who gave tirelessly to the church.  The had dedicated their lives to furthering the Kingdom and making known the message of Love.  St. John Paul II comes to mind.  St. John Vianney, St. John Chrystosom.  There were also many Saints who were killed and suffered tremendous torture, martyrdom because of their willingness to die in the name of Jesus.  Think about those early Christian Martyrs like St. Ignatius, St. Polyarp, St. Stephen, St. Maimillan Kolbe from the second World War.  Even heroic women such as St. Joan of Arc, Sts. Perpetua & Felicity, Sts.  Agatha and Lucy who were courageous in their faith, they were brave.  Notably, Blessed Chiara Badano, and Servant of God Sister Clare Crockett.

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     There were also simple saints who sought to live away from the world.  Saints who felt called to be secluded and live in the caves.  Saints who began what we know today as monastic communities.  Monastic saints such as St. Anthony of the Desert, St. Bruno, St. Benedict, St. Dominic, St. Francis of Paola.  There are saints who are parents and had families.  They defended their children with love.  Saints who sought to follow the will of God and leave the world behind--St. Francis and St. Clare among many.  And of course, the more contemporary saints like St. Catherine of Siena, Mother Cabrini, Theresa of Lisieux, Mother Theresa even.  There are hundreds, if not thousands of saints that we can look to.  The sought to share Christ and to make known the love that he freely gave to them.

  

     In every picture you will find the saints surrounded by a glorious light symbolizing their blessedness.  It shows us that they are now sharing in the splendor of God's light in heaven.  These are ordinary people who have shown us the way.  That's a reachable goal!  To be made holy, to be people who love, people who pray, people who are courageous, zealous and steadfast in our faith in Christ.

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    Today, it's a perfect day to reflect on the lives of these holy people who responded generously to what the church now calls the "Universal Call to Holiness."  This essentially means that everyone has a personal invitation from God himself to pursue him in holiness of life.

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Let's look to the saints!

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--Fr. VM

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