Do random acts of kindness every day, bishop tells faithful
Roman Catholics mark the Solemnity of All Saints' Day today and a Church leader called on the faithful “to be living saints by performing random acts of kindness every day.”
“We can be and must be saints. We have all the potential. Saints are just like us, they lived like us. They suffered. They sinned, and had shortcomings. Yet, they repented, persevered, and lived a life of kindness and love. They also failed, yet rose up and turned back to God. So aspire to
be saints, that is, be ready to suffer for the good of others, to sacrifice oneself to save others, and be of service to them,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos.
The prelate said, a person can choose to live like a saint in this life by doing good. He/she can also get inspiration from a saint, like his patron saint or favorite saint.
“Why not aspire to be living saints now and not after one's death. Perform random acts of kindness every day. Don't let a day pass without performing good deeds or saying truthful and caring words. Choose a saint as your patron, as your model and imitate his/her good works and words. Remember we can all be saints. And God wants us to be His saints,” Santos stressed.
The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People tied the existence of saints to the reality of heaven.
“As we celebrate and commemorate all saints, this would mean for us that indeed, there is Heaven. And Heaven is our home. There is good reason to be good and to do good, to live an honest and holy life. These will lead us to where the saints are – in Heaven with God,” Santos said.
Honor not worship
The Church leader, likewise, corrected the notion that saints are worshipped.
“Contrary to others' belief, we don't worship the saints. We don't adore the saints. We honor them because of their exemplary life of fidelity and devotion to God. They are our inspiration that we should spend our time, talents and treasure for God's glory and for the sanctification of our brothers and sisters,” he said.
Meanwhile, family members and friends of the faithful departed traditionally observe All Saints’ Day with a visit to cemeteries and columbariums to offer prayers and flowers and to light candles in memory of loved ones who have passed on.
Church officials remind the faithful “to commemorate All Saints’ Day solemnly as it is meant to enrich the faith of all who observe it. As we honor the saints and remember our departed loved ones, we actually give glory to God.” Church leaders said.
According to an old tradition, prayers for the intercession of saints are as old as Christianity itself, while the veneration of saints go back to the beginning of Christianity. Catechism 2683 said, “Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan. We can and should ask for them to intercede for us and for the whole world.”
Originally known as the Feast of All Martyrs in memory of the martyrs of the early Church who died for their faith in Christ, All Saints’ Day has since evolved into a solemn observance during which the Church remembers all who have died in the faith. Pope Gregory (731-741) consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, Italy to all the saints and fixed the observance to Nov. 1. Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended the celebration to the Universal Church in 837.
According to the Roman Martyology and Orthodox sources, there are over 10,000 named saints from history, although no exact figure is available as more holy men and women continues to be canonized by the Holy Father. The number includes patron saints, special protectors, martyrs, and guardians over certain areas of life and anything that is important to the faithful believer.