The Path to Sainthood: A Reflection on All Saints Day
Summary
- The Joy of All Saints Day
- The Victory of Sanctity
- Living Out Our Unique Call to Holiness
- God’s Role and Our Role in Salvation
- The Need for Faith and Courage
- Sanctifying Everyday Actions
- The Holy Mass as the Key to Heaven
- The Call to Sacrifice
- The Example of Unknown Saints
- Conclusion: Embracing Sacrifice for Eternal Happiness
The Joy of All Saints Day
The Feast of All Saints Day is one of the most joyous occasions in the liturgical year, precisely because it is the fait accompli, the action that is completed. It is a perfected act for so many souls. It is a celebration of the fact that despite our weaknesses, despite original sin, despite our own personal sins, and despite everything else, the world, the flesh, the devil throw at us, the final victory is possible. It is possible for us to save our souls. It is possible for us to go to heaven.
The Victory of Sanctity
One of the great comforts of this feast day is found in the Epistle, where Saint John describes the great multitude beyond count, spread out before him in a vision of the final days—those who have been saved, throwing themselves before the throne of the Lamb and praising Him. It comforts us to know that, while we know of so few canonized saints, many souls are saved. Sometimes studying the lives of the saints can be discouraging because we feel unable to achieve their heights of sanctity. But God does not ask us to live up to their standard; He asks us to live our own lives in the most perfectly Catholic way possible.
Living Out Our Unique Call to Holiness
God placed us here in our specific circumstances, with our personalities, our families, in this crisis of the Church, and in this crisis of the world. Our sanctification lies here, and we must seek it here and now. Sanctification is won every day through little efforts to turn every part of our lives into one glorious offering to our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why we were created; this is our purpose.
God’s Role and Our Role in Salvation
Saint Augustine says, “God created you without yourself; He will not save you without your help.” We are to be participants in our own salvation story. Of course, God does the lion's share, giving us gifts and strength. But He wants us to make the effort. Considering the prize—eternal, perfect happiness and union with Him—all the sufferings and trials on earth are worth it. If we fully understood the value of heaven, we would endure anything without hesitation.
The Need for Faith and Courage
However, we must take it on faith, which can be difficult for us. We like concrete proof, but with salvation, we must trust God. We have to launch ourselves into the deep and trust God to help us make choices that save our souls. Salvation doesn’t require elaborate actions, just sanctifying our everyday actions, being good Catholics, and fulfilling our roles as husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, and children. We already have all we need to save our souls and help those around us.
Sanctifying Everyday Actions
Saving our souls requires effort, attention, and strength of character. Daily life presents minor challenges that can daunt us, yet every day we should inch closer to heaven. Every part of our lives is an instrument of sanctification, meant to lead us closer to God. Christ calls us to live as true Catholics, which means sacrificing our lives in the present moment, perfecting every action, thought, word, and deed in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
The Holy Mass as the Key to Heaven
To know heaven, we should get to know the Mass better. If we wish to save our souls and overcome our imperfections, the Mass provides the answers. We must simplify our efforts: How can I be a better Catholic? How can I improve in my roles as man, woman, husband, father, wife, mother, or child? The Mass teaches us these answers because its spirit is one of sacrifice, born of love—God’s love for us, sacrificing His own Son for us.
The Call to Sacrifice
We are called to love in return, sacrificing our lives for God daily. The multitudes Saint John saw are mostly unknown souls, everyday heroes who did their part to save their souls, going unnoticed but achieving heaven. We don’t need to seek fame or canonization, just sainthood. Saints didn’t seek recognition but simply dedicated themselves to serving God entirely.
The Example of Unknown Saints
The saints subordinated themselves to God, accepting His rule, the conditions He placed on them, and the reality He set. They didn’t try to fabricate their destiny or reserve parts of themselves. Instead, they dedicated their whole lives to Him, sanctifying every part of their humanity.
Conclusion: Embracing Sacrifice for Eternal Happiness
This is the lesson of the Mass: to give God our first fruits, our very best, and our entire selves. This is the only way to understand God’s love and enter into the perfection represented in the Mass. It is only through this sacrifice that we can sanctify our everyday labors, maintain sanctifying grace, and ultimately achieve eternal happiness in heaven.