I don't know about you, but I doubt that I will ever be a canonized saint of the Catholic Church. And, using pretty wide parameters, the estimates are that there are probably just over 10,000 canonized saints in the entire Church's history. However, there are 1.4 billion Catholics living right now on the earth! And we have all known and loved others who have died and gone on to their eternal reward (or are on the journey to it, which is what All Souls Day is about).
So, does the fact that such a small percentage are canonized mean that heaven is very empty? Not at all! While it is true that there are very few Christians who have made it onto the canon, or list, of official saints, that doesn't mean that others who are not canonized are not saints in heaven. For every St. Francis de Sales or St. Frances Cabrini there are legions of other Franks or Francescas who lived a life of grace and courage in the way that God called them to. And while we may not all get noticed by those around us, or achieve the same levels of holiness as others, God's grace and mercy are still abundantly poured out into our hearts everyday.
So, brothers and sisters, let us pray this week that we may awaken to the reality of what it means to be a Christian and a member of God's holy people! Through Baptism we have become children of God and each of us is called to follow God's will and to serve God & God's people in ways particular to us. While we may never make it to the Church's list of officially canonized saints, if we remain faithful we can be confident that we are invited to be a part of the heavenly Communion of Saints for all eternity. And when that day comes, this week's feast, the Solemnity of All Saints, will be when the Church will celebrate us alongside all the other victorious members of the Body of Christ!
Written by: Fr. Craig
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