A Feast for the Unknown Saints

A Feast for the Unknown Saints

Each year on November 1st the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints. A day of prayer directed to and for those that have gone before us ‘marked with the sign of faith.’

In his letters to the early Church communities Paul used the word saints to refer to all the faithful – those that had accompanied him in his teaching, those who carried on his missionary work, and all those who witnessed to their faith. In other words, those who strove to live according to the teaching and example of Jesus, as best they could.

In time, a saint was someone whose goodness was recognised widely as an example for others to follow. Some were acclaimed by the Church, others were hailed by local communities, their stories inspiring many to continue striving for holiness in their own lives.

Today the process of making saints is formalised by the Church with thorough investigations conducted at a diocesan level, and a Vatican Dicastery devoted to examining the life and after-life of the candidates. Yet despite the mountains of paperwork involved there are more saints than ever. During his 26-year reign John Paul II beatified more than thirteen-hundred candidates for sainthood and presided over the canonisation of 482 new saints. In his eleven years Pope Francis has so far presided over the canonisation of more than 920 (including John Paul II) with others anticipated before the end of this year.

But what about those that are unknown to the universal Church – the ordinary people that have walked with God throughout their lives and encouraged us to do the same? Those that have nurtured children and nursed the sick. Have provided for us and taught us to pray. Lifted us to our feet and lifted our eyes to God.

The Church’s calendar is filled with days for those that are honoured by the Church. On the Feast of All Saints, let’s take a moment to pray in thanksgiving for the ones that are not.

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