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A Note From

Rev. Joe Koyickal

The Feast of All Saints reminds us of our call to Holiness

On this Feast of the Solemnity of All Saints, the Church invites us to recall the holy men and women who have gone before us in faith and who have lived as authentic witness of the Gospel. This Feast honors all the saints in heaven, not only those officially recognized by the Church, but also the countless ordinary men and women who lived a holy and virtuous life in the sight of God and were known only to God, (Pope Francis called them “saints next door”). Through their lives of faith, the saints give us hope that holiness is possible for us too.

When we think of saints, we often imagine special or extraordinary people who lived long ago. But saints were ordinary people who were open to God and responded to God's love with extraordinary faith, courage, and generosity. They came from different backgrounds and walks of life. Some were priests and religious, missionaries; others were parents, farmers, teachers, workers, and ordinary people who faithfully lived their Christian vocation.

The Feast of All Saints reminds us that holiness is not reserved for a few special people; it is the calling of every Christian, every one of us. In the gospel today Jesus shows us the way in the Beatitudes (the Be-Attitudes): to be merciful, be clean of heart, work for peace and justice, forgive others, care for the poor, and remain faithful even in the midst of hardship and difficulties.

The saints are our companions and examples on our journey of faith. In a world often focused on success, wealth, recognition, and personal achievement, the saints remind us of what truly matters. Their lives teach us that love is more important than possessions, forgiveness is stronger than anger or resentment, and service is greater than selfishness. They encourage us to remain faithful to God in our families, workplaces, communities, and parishes.

How can we celebrate this feast in our daily lives? We can begin by practicing kindness, forgiving someone who has hurt us, reaching out to a lonely neighbor, helping someone in need, praying faithfully and not giving up, and bringing peace into our homes and communities. We can also learn about the lives of the saints and ask for their prayers and guidance.

As we celebrate the Feast of All Saints, let us remember that the saints were not perfect people who never struggled. They were people who trusted in God's mercy, got up when they fell, and continued to follow Jesus.

May this feast renew our desire to become the people God calls us to be. The saints remind us of where we are going, encourage us on our journey, and show us that holiness is possible in our everyday lives. May we live faithfully today so that, one day, we may join them in the eternal joy of God's kingdom.

Blessings of Peace and Joy Always!

Fr. Joe