SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS

My dear friends,

One of my summer assignments while in the seminary was that of a hospital chaplain.  It was a life changing experience.  During my visits to the patients I encountered many beautiful people.  Many would share with me their stories and were just happy to have someone to talk to, and more importantly simply to listen.  All too often I would return for a spiritual care visit and they were discharged.  The fact that our paths crossed was no accident.  One lady was especially interesting, and I would say saintly.  She asked for my email address and would regularly email me (and many others I trust) with reflections.  Flashing back to 2016, this is what she so beautifully wrote with respect to All Saints Day:
                                                           
As children, we were often mesmerized by stories of the saints, especially the martyrs who died for their faith.  Later, as adults, many of us are still keenly interested in learning more about the extraordinary people whom the Church has canonized, such as St. Teresa of Avila and St. Patrick, and the newer ones St. André Bessette and St. Mary MacKillop of Australia.  Their stories enrich our faith, and encourage us to live more Christ-centered lives. 
 
But we need only scan our own communities, to spot ordinary people living among us who radiate God's love and encourage us to keep going.  They inspire us with their quiet patience and kindness, and by their perseverance in dealing with life's difficulties.  St. Thomas wrote that the simplest and most effective way to sanctify is to disappear into the background of ordinary everyday routine.  We often overlook the hidden saints in our midst, because they blend in so well with society, accomplishing ordinary tasks with extraordinary grace.  I'm thinking, for instance, of the quiet caretakers who look after a loved one day in day out; or busy parents who teach the faith to other children as well as their own, or those who counsel pregnant woman who are tempted by abortion or people who suffer from some disability, either from birth or by accident, who none the less rise above their pain to contribute to their communities.  I know many earth saints: some live just quiet lives as good parents and good friends and I love them, don’t you?  There are several veering to Sainthood that I see regularly in my hum drum life. 
 
I could not say it better myself.
 
May God bless all of you…you saints in the making.
Fr. Greg