We all have our favorite saints and at times see them as our friends in need. The Church celebrates so many thousands and each country has their own, with their particular feast day. So why do we have one day a year to celebrate all together?
It is to celebrate all who have gone before us, who have not yet, or will never be, officially recognized by the Church. Many led hidden lives- how many canonized saints were not recognized as holy, till after their deaths, like St. Faustina.
Many were considered to be spiritual guides and mentors, who add their prayers in heaven to those offered by us still living in the material world. We all know people we considered holy, who were examples of how we should live our lives. And while they will never be canonized, we know they are in heaven, in communion with those of us on earth. Isn't that what a saint is- our holy friends.
Holiness
isn’t simply a matter of being separate from the world. It does not mean cutting
ourselves off from the world. It means
to be involved in this world and its people, but in heart and in action to be
different, to be true followers of Christ. It is to be holy as we are called to be, in our own unique way,
not matter our state of life: religious,
married or single.
One of my favorite saints, Christina the Astonishing (d. 1224- Belgium) said "we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who have gone before us" But I say, look to those around you now. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord”. (Heb. 12:14)
Painting: "Jesus Among the Saints"
(Fidel Pages & Raimon
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