saints can inspire us
Friday, Nov. 1, is the Solemnity of All Saints. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses that day will be at 12:05 pm and 6:30 pm.
On that day we recall all the men and women who have gone before us and who are already living in the Kingdom in heaven. This includes those saints who have been acknowledged and canonized by the Church and those anonymous saints, who lived lives of holiness and followed Christ faithfully. This would include our own personal saints—those whom we have known and loved, and who have known and loved us, who have died, and now reign with Christ in heaven.
In the Book of Revelation, we are given a picture of the heavenly liturgy. John, who has been taken up into heaven by an angel, sees a crowd that is beyond all counting around the throne of the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes and carrying palm branches (symbols of holiness). These are the saints. They reveal to us that it is possible to live a life of holiness in this world. We long to one day be in their company.
The saints witness to us that heaven is our destiny. They are role models for us in living lives of holiness. And they continually pray for us before the face of God.
On that day we recall all the men and women who have gone before us and who are already living in the Kingdom in heaven. This includes those saints who have been acknowledged and canonized by the Church and those anonymous saints, who lived lives of holiness and followed Christ faithfully. This would include our own personal saints—those whom we have known and loved, and who have known and loved us, who have died, and now reign with Christ in heaven.
In the Book of Revelation, we are given a picture of the heavenly liturgy. John, who has been taken up into heaven by an angel, sees a crowd that is beyond all counting around the throne of the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes and carrying palm branches (symbols of holiness). These are the saints. They reveal to us that it is possible to live a life of holiness in this world. We long to one day be in their company.
The saints witness to us that heaven is our destiny. They are role models for us in living lives of holiness. And they continually pray for us before the face of God.