Sunday, November 1st we celebrated All Saints Day, a celebration initiated by Pope Boniface IV in 609 AD. The process of recognizing saints developed over time. In the 1st century the people began honoring the early martyrs, by the 4th c. Bishops named individuals to be honored. Later in the 10th c. the process of naming a saint occurred by papal decree. It wasn’t until the 16th c. that a multi-step process was adopted and followed today.
Who are the saints you can name?…What qualities do you attribute to the lives of each ?… I expect among the qualities that may have come to mind you mentioned: holy, patient, kind, generous, prayerful, compassionate, loving, a good person.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans and in 1st Corinthians, Paul says we are all called to be saints. As we celebrate the women and men who have gained the official title of “Saint” by the church, we celebrate ourselves striving to become saints. Saints whose lives witness to kindness, patience, generosity, prayer, compassion, and love, in general, good people. Not all of us will gain the official status of “Saint”. Yet all of us can strive to claim the unofficial status of “saint,” by living lives worthy of our dignity as children of God.
To see the beautiful tapestries of the saints mentioned in Sr. Rita’s reflection, visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels’ website and explore the Communion of Saints gallery.