Today, November 1 commemorates the Solemnity of All Saints, a day dedicated to honouring the countless men and women who have ascended to Heaven. This celebration encompasses every soul in Heaven, with a particular emphasis on those who led exceptionally holy lives on Earth and have been officially recognized as saints by the Church. These remarkable individuals exhibited their devotion to God through various means, such as deep prayer and mystical union, enduring martyrdom and religious persecution, and performing acts of service, including caring for the needy and teaching the faith.
By paying tribute to this multitude of saintly witnesses, one offers honour and glory to God through the lives of these extraordinary individuals. In honouring the saints, one recognizes and reveres the One who sanctified them. This liturgical solemnity provides with a glimpse of the eternal Solemnity of Heaven. In Heaven, the virtues, sacrifices, prayers, and selfless service of all the saints will shine like beacons, eternally manifesting the great mercy and goodness of God. Every saint in Heaven will lead a continuous chorus of praise and worship of God, harmonizing with the nine choirs of angelic hosts.
Moreover, honouring the saints serves as an invitation for all on Earth to strive for the same level of holiness that these saints achieved. The saints provide exemplary models, essentially offering us a ‘how-to’ guide for pursuing holiness. The lives of ‘super saints’ like the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saints Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas should be thoroughly studied and contemplated so that one can learn from their extraordinary examples.
It’s crucial to remember that the saints, from their heavenly abode, become powerful intercessors for us on Earth. While God could directly interact with us, He chooses to employ secondary causes, with the saints and angels serving as intermediaries to convey His grace. Thus, one should rely on their intercession as an act of faith, acknowledging God’s use of these celestial beings as instruments of His divine will.
The origins of today’s solemnity can be traced back to the early days of the Church. Even in New Testament times, martyrs were honoured by the Christian community, beginning with the deacon Saint Stephen, the first martyr. As the first century unfolded, more Christians began to face persecution and martyrdom at the hands of Roman emperors, and the Church began to venerate their sacrifices. In the year 64, Emperor Nero initiated the first organised persecution of Christians in Rome, claiming the lives of Saints Peter and Paul, along with many others. Subsequently, other Roman emperors instigated various persecutions throughout the entire empire. The most severe persecution occurred under Emperor Diocletian from 303 to 311, resulting in the destruction of churches and sacred texts, the loss of property and legal rights for Christians, and the imprisonment and torture of those who weren’t killed. While the exact number is uncertain, it’s believed that there were as many as 3,500 martyrs during the Diocletian persecutions.
In the fourth century, following the legalization of Christianity in 313 by Emperor Constantine I, initiated the construction of churches and monuments to honour the martyrs, public devotion to the martyrs began to flourish. Their graves were transformed into churches and sites of pilgrimage and prayer. On May 13, 609, Pope Boniface IV dedicated a church to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs. The annual celebration of its dedication also honoured the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs. On November 1, 731, Pope Gregory III dedicated an oratory within Saint Peter’s Basilica to ‘all saints,’ encompassing the Apostles, martyrs, confessors, and all holy men and women worldwide. This expanded the commemoration of the saints beyond the martyrs to include all those who lived saintly lives. In 844, Pope Gregory IV extended the November 1 celebration to the entire Church. In 1484, Pope Sixtus IV elevated November 1 to a holy day of obligation for the entire Church, adding a vigil day and an octave, making the celebration last for nine days in total.
As one honours all the saints in Heaven today, it is important to remember that all the baptised are called to join their ranks. One’s level of holiness on Earth will determine the extent to which life becomes an eternal glorification of God. Seek a profound depth of holiness; do not merely aim to remain in a state of grace. Strive for an abundance of grace and focus on growing in virtue.
(The writer is a member of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites based at Divine Springs Retreat Centre, Shellim, Loliem.)