You Too Can Become One Of the Saints

HOMILY OF FRIDAY, 1ST OF NOVEMBER 2024
THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS 
1st reading : Apocalypse 7:2-4,9-14
Psalm 23:1-6
2nd reading: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel : Matthew 5:1-12

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of All Saints.
In this celebration, we are called to reflect on the lives of our ancestors in the faith who have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (Cf. 2Tim. 4:7-8) and their crown is the fellowship which they now enjoy with God in heaven.

On a day like this, it is important to answer the question of why we celebrate individual saints since there is a general celebration of all the saints.
To answer the above, it is good to know that the Catholic Church has a process of beatification to make someone a saint, of which not everyone could have access to this process due to geographical and other human existential limitations. Consequently, the Church, in his wisdom, dedicates a day to celebrate all who have lived lives that warrants sainthood but may not have access to the due process of their canonization.

The celebration of individual Saints encourages us individually to strive for that crown of glory, whereas, All Saints’ celebration gives us the assurance that in as much as not everyone gets the privilege of being individually canonized, anyone who lived the Christian life in its fullness also has a share in the community of God in heaven.

As we celebrate these noble men and women today, we pray that after our lives here on earth, we may also benefit in the heavenly fellowship that the saints are enjoying now.

Peace be with you 🙏🏾🙌🏾