Fr. Joeven Matugas, SX
NOVEMBER 1, 2015: ALL SAINTS DAY
What is the sense of invoking the Saints?
They are just people, human beings! This was the usual objection I heard before from my neighbors and friends who were members of other Christian denominations. But not only them, there are also some Catholics who have a mistaken understanding of the veneration of the Saints in our Church. And I would like to add, the saints were sinners and many were even great sinners.
The Saints were not heroes and heroines that fought for the freedom of a nation. They were not political figures. They were not people seeking popularity and power. They were simple, ordinary, and humble individuals living out their faith in everyday life. They have great union with God in heart, mind and will. Because of this union, they were willing to die for Christ. They showed magnificent examples of love of God and of the people.
Today, 1st of November we celebrate the Solemnity of All the Saints in heaven. They are victorious with God as the redeemed people (cf. LG 49-50). This feast is always a special occasion for us people, who are pilgrims in this world towards the perfection in God. We, the Catholics, profess in our faith the “communion of saints”. We believe the holy people are recognized by the church through their good examples and virtues and the witness of their faith in Jesus Christ. They were willing to give up their lives and shed their precious blood, suffered persecution unto death because of their faith.
I would like to quote the Second Vatican Council in the document Lumen Gentium about the Saints.
“The Church has always believed that the apostles and Christ's martyrs, who had given the supreme witness of faith and charity by the shedding of their blood, are closely joined with us in Christ, and she has always venerated them with special devotion, together with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy angels. The Church has always piously implored the aid of their intercession” (LG 50).
“Let them therefore teach the faithful that the authentic cult of the saints consists not so much in the multiplying of external acts, but rather in the intensity of our love, whereby, for our own greater good and that of the whole Church, we seek from the saints "example in their way of life, fellowship in their communion, and aid by their intercession." On the other hand, let them teach the faithful that our communion with those in heaven, provided that it is understood in the fuller light of faith according to its genuine nature, in no way weakens, but conversely, more thoroughly enriches the worship we give to God the Father, through Christ, in the Spirit”(LG 51).
Through the intercessions of all the Saints in heaven, may we journey through our lives in this imperfect world towards our final end….the Trinity….the Beatific Vision of God.
NOVEMBER 1, 2015: ALL SAINTS DAY
What is the sense of invoking the Saints?
They are just people, human beings! This was the usual objection I heard before from my neighbors and friends who were members of other Christian denominations. But not only them, there are also some Catholics who have a mistaken understanding of the veneration of the Saints in our Church. And I would like to add, the saints were sinners and many were even great sinners.
The Saints were not heroes and heroines that fought for the freedom of a nation. They were not political figures. They were not people seeking popularity and power. They were simple, ordinary, and humble individuals living out their faith in everyday life. They have great union with God in heart, mind and will. Because of this union, they were willing to die for Christ. They showed magnificent examples of love of God and of the people.
Today, 1st of November we celebrate the Solemnity of All the Saints in heaven. They are victorious with God as the redeemed people (cf. LG 49-50). This feast is always a special occasion for us people, who are pilgrims in this world towards the perfection in God. We, the Catholics, profess in our faith the “communion of saints”. We believe the holy people are recognized by the church through their good examples and virtues and the witness of their faith in Jesus Christ. They were willing to give up their lives and shed their precious blood, suffered persecution unto death because of their faith.
I would like to quote the Second Vatican Council in the document Lumen Gentium about the Saints.
“The Church has always believed that the apostles and Christ's martyrs, who had given the supreme witness of faith and charity by the shedding of their blood, are closely joined with us in Christ, and she has always venerated them with special devotion, together with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy angels. The Church has always piously implored the aid of their intercession” (LG 50).
“Let them therefore teach the faithful that the authentic cult of the saints consists not so much in the multiplying of external acts, but rather in the intensity of our love, whereby, for our own greater good and that of the whole Church, we seek from the saints "example in their way of life, fellowship in their communion, and aid by their intercession." On the other hand, let them teach the faithful that our communion with those in heaven, provided that it is understood in the fuller light of faith according to its genuine nature, in no way weakens, but conversely, more thoroughly enriches the worship we give to God the Father, through Christ, in the Spirit”(LG 51).
Through the intercessions of all the Saints in heaven, may we journey through our lives in this imperfect world towards our final end….the Trinity….the Beatific Vision of God.