We are all called to seek out sanctifying grace, our ultimate goal is to be united with God for all eternity, and to bring as many of our family, friends, and neighbors with us along the way. We are required to focus on so many worldly things, but this is the ultimate point.
To show us that our goal is possible, the church has to have exemplary people to point to. See, It’s really possible to go to heaven. So there is a real process for calling out saints. It’s how we find out about Padre Pio, or Teresa of Avila, Carlo Acutis or St. Cecilia.
The formal process usually takes time, miracles have to be traced back to the intercession of a person, all of their writings and interactions have to be evaluated, and it is extremely rare for someone to be named a saint lightly or quickly.
However, we know that there are people interceding for us in heaven, that will never be declared. They were unknown, unremarkable (to the world). Amongst their numbers can be our grandparents, aunts, or uncles, quite probably including some babies who were never even known to the world.
Most of us will never be famous for the way we live our lives, but we have hope that one day we’ll be one of these anonymous saints, unknown by the world, but embraced by our Lord.
If you ask me, this ability to have a day to revere all saints named and unnamed is a rare lack of arrogance. We don’t need to know everything, but you know what we do know? That heaven isn’t an exclusive country club made for the elites, because Jesus was clear that the meek shall inherit the earth.
This week, let’s pray for all the souls of our loved ones that have gone before us. We can pray for them and ask for their intercession, because likely they’ll be preparing our way. Good Bless, and Have a Saintly All Hallows Eve!
