"All Saints II" by Lawrence OP is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
"For all the saints who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!"
Today we celebrate all the saints who do not have a feast day in the Church's calendar of over 10,000 saints. That includes Grandma Mary, Uncle Joe, Cousin Susie, Neighbor Rosicky, Fr. Richard, Sr. Sarah and all the rest, who, by their lives of holiness have contributed to bringing about the Kingdom of God on earth in their own specific way.
Because that is what it means to be a saint: one who lives by faith, hope, and love; one who strives to be holy and cares for others; one who prays for all and especially "enemies"; one who gives one's life in dedication to God and others; one who sacrifices and offers up the prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of each day in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world; one who shares the Good News of God's love and salvation with others; one who raises children, cares for the elderly, heals the sick, comforts the sorrowful, warns the sinner, instructs the ignorant, buries the dead, clothes the naked, shelters the homeless, feeds the hungry, bears wrongs patiently, visits the imprisoned, counsels the doubtful, forgives sins, prays, prays, and prays even more.
We are all called to be saints, to be holy. We have so many who have gone before us who guide us, who pray for us, and who love us from heaven. May all the saints praise God for his glory and pray that we may be forever with him and them. Amen.
But, lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
