At the beginning of the month of November we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, a feast which reminds us all of our ultimate goal: holiness.
On this day, we honour not only the saints officially recognised by the Church, but also the countless holy men and women—known and unknown—who now rejoice in God’s eternal presence. As we are inspired by their example we are also encouraged to discover our own vocation in life, the path upon which God is calling me to grow in holiness.
In Lumen Gentium (Chapter V), one of the key documents of the Second Vatican Council, we read that holiness is a universal vocation, not just for a few select people in each generation. “All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity.” (Lumen Gentium, 40).
Many people are attracted to different saints for different reasons. Perhaps the saint is living out similar vocation or has faced struggles that we can identify with. We may be attracted to the personality or character of a saint or find inspiration or helpful insights from their life and writings. Each saint embodies a particular way of living one’s vocation and this is true for the way God calls us to live our lives too.
The lives of the saints remind us that vocation is not just about what we do, but about who we become in Christ. Whether called to marriage, priesthood, religious life, or apostolic celibacy, each person is invited to become a living reflection of God’s love in the world.
All Saints’ Day also celebrates the Communion of Saints, the living bond between the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven. This communion strengthens our vocation: we are never alone in striving for holiness. The saints intercede for us, encourage us, and show us that the journey is possible. Their example reminds us to sanctify the ordinary moments of life; to see that our work, relationships, and responsibilities can be transformed into acts of love. Holiness is not an escape from the world but a way of living within it with hearts centred on God. It is the quiet perseverance of a parent, the integrity of a worker, the compassion of a friend, the many small ways we echo Christ’s love in our particular vocation.
During this month of November, as we are inspired by the saints and pray for the Holy Souls in purgatory, let us consider: am I living my vocation as a path to holiness? The saints were not perfect from the start; they were ordinary people, sinners who allowed God’s grace to shape them. Their lives proclaim the hope that sanctity is possible for all who respond to God’s call. May we be inspired to live our vocations with renewed purpose and joy, trusting that the same God who made the saints holy is at work in us—guiding us toward the same eternal communion of love.
Canon Michael Dolman
