Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from You.”

All Saints Day, November 1

Several decades ago I was struck to hear an elderly Benedictine say that he regularly asked for the prayers of his deceased mother. Many of us are too paralyzed by the canonization process by which the Catholic Church formally declares someone a saint. Why? Most of us live surrounded by saints!

Jesus put the requirements plainly: love God and love your neighbor. What about parents who forego world travel to enable their college-age progeny to study abroad? They stay at home and on the job–and together–while their offspring enjoy privileges they never had. How many of us non-parents get up several times a night to take care of a sick child and then up again at 5:30 a.m. for the daily commute? And once on the job, we're expected to be alert, imaginative, prepared, even pleasant! Doesn’t this all add up a lot of self-giving?

Lay people don't have organized groups like the Benedictines, Jesuits, Salesians to push the process of "canonization." The Home and School Association won't be doing it for John and Kay. And to require "miracles"? An ambiguous matter.

Aren't there miracles in the perseverance and patience of parents? In the sacrifice of time and comfort they make? In the work of hospital and hospice workers, caregivers, social workers, often not simply for a paycheck but with love beyond the job description? Aren't there miracles in faithfulness, compassion, forgiveness, generosity, hope, joy, loving care, perseverance, patience, gentleness, etc.? I feel that I am telling you the obvious. . . . Let's celebrate and be grateful for these neighbors, family members, friends on this feast of All the Saints!

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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