Saints
The communion of saints is truly the image of the Church. The Church is a family. Our profession of faith proclaims this communion after we profess faith in the Holy Spirit and the Church. We are united as a church. The Church on earth, the church in purification, and the heavenly church that enjoys the beatific vision. This week we shall celebrate the feast of All Saints, a holy day of obligation. I would like to share a few words on Saints.
The word SAINT in the language of the Catholic Church refers to the human members of the Body of Christ, recognized either traditionally or in formal canonization, as being in heaven and thus worthy of honor. This title is also extended to certain angels. For those who are beatified, they are referenced not as a title but as a description of how their way of life (heroic virtue) or martyrdom can be attributed to them.
The Latin word Sanctus from which 'saint' is derived, signifies “one who is holy”. God is the Holy One. Holiness is God’s proper name. The covenant that God made with his people drew them close. This covenant made the faithful share in his holiness because they were purified of uncleanness, consecrated to His worship, and attached to His law. This encounter with God required separation from all profane things through renunciation of sin and purity of conscience. In Baptism and in our attendance at confession, we renounce sin and profess faith in God. Sainthood begins with the action of entering into communion with God through renunciation and the profession of faith.
God is the one who takes the initiative in communicating His holiness; second, the holiness of the creature consists primarily in service of God, that is, worship and observance of divine law. Living a saintly life combines both spiritual gifts and the practice of religion. Religion enables the saint to express belief and acts of charity. The saint then is the one whose whole being, by the grace of God, is governed by the virtues centered on religion; that stage of heroic virtue has been attained that the Church recognizes as worthy of the title of Saint. It is the life more than the individual; it is the conformity to the will of God more than only the knowledge of God’s will; it is the heroic virtue lived more than the signaling of virtue that makes a saint. (Ref: New Catholic Encyclopedia)
Becoming a saint is the goal. Sainthood is not the extraordinary life but the norm for every Christian. Simply put, a saint is one who responds to God’s willingness to enter into communion with us, allows the Holy Spirit to clean him, and, by living a sacramental life, is able to respond to the call to virtue in an admirable way. God has offered himself to us, and through the Holy Eucharist, we are in communion with him. Let us strive to deepen our communion through the holiness of life and become saints.
Jesus thy kingdom come! In my heart through Mary! -Fr. Gabriel