By Godman A. MENDEM | Catholic Catechist, Educator & Evangelist | Founder of Catholic Front Gospel Ministries
“After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd – no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They called out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!”” (Revelation 7:9-10)
Every year on November 1st, the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints. Instituted in the 10th century by Pope Gregory IV, this great feast honors the holy souls in heaven who constitute the Triumphant. Church. Throughout November – a month dedicated to the souls of the dead – Christians are called to reflect deeply on the saints to draw inspiration and courage for their own earthly journeys towards the Heavenly City.
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1. THE LIVES OF SAINTS
Reflecting on the saints helps us seek their intercession (Revelation 8:3) while walking the rough path of faith that leads to eternal life. One may reflect on their own baptismal patron saint – such as John, Peter, or Joseph – or the patron saint of their local parish, like St. Anthony, St. Paul, St. Thérèse, or St Joseph the Worker.
On this path, we must never be discouraged by the weaknesses or waywardness of other Christians, even church leaders. Scripture reminds us that the wheat will be separated from the weeds only on the day of harvest (Matthew 13:30), and that the Last Judgment shall begin right at the Temple of God (Ezekiel 9:4-6).
2. EASY TO BE A SAINT?
In contemplating legendary saints like St. Stephen, St. John, or St. Paul – with all their trials and sacrifices – many ask: Who in these modern days can pay such a price? Is it possible to live in holiness in this corrupt world?
The answer is YES. Surprisingly, in a world where sin is rampant, it is actually much easier for faithful believers to become saints. Every little effort made toward holiness is instantly rewarded with the grace to do more.
Consider a classroom of dull students: those who make just a tiny effort are eagerly noticed and promoted by the teacher. But in a class of geniuses, minor efforts go ignored. This is what scripture means where it says: “Where sin increased, God’s grace increased much more” (Romans 5:20-21), and why God commands His angels to put a mark of protection on the foreheads of those who grieve over the disgusting things done in the city (Ezekiel 9:4).
3. THE TRUTH ABOUT SAINTS
Before defining the pathway, we must understand two important truths. First, saints are made by God, not by raw human willpower (Hebrews 12:23). The key is to “offer yourself as a living sacrifice dedicated to God and pleasing to him” (Romans 12:1-2). God then grants, through Christ, all the graces needed to live in holiness (Romans 3:22-24). What is impossible for human beings is fully possible for God (Mark 10:27).
Second, sainthood is a universal vocation, not reserved for a particular race. Created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), all who lost their divine nature through the sin of Adam and Eve are entitled to regain it through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). The only qualification is faith. However, believing without acting produces no fruit. True faith is always “made perfect through action” and “faith without action is dead” (James 2:22, 26).
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4. WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGINS
The starting point for every saint is conversion, which consists of both the confession and the renunciation of sin – true repentance. Since everyone is a sinner (Romans 3:23), we must first acknowledge our sinfulness: “You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you” (Proverbs 28:13; see also Acts 3:19-20, Leviticus 5:5, John 1:19). Vertically, our confession remains locked until we horizontally forgive those who have offended us (Matthew 6:14-15).
In conversion, we must highlight the sins of omission, which are often taken lightly. The one who fails to do what is good is just as guilty as the one who does evil (James 4:17, Proverbs 24:11-12). “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). If we are blessed with mercy, faith, talents, money, or authority, we are expected to use these to bless others. Conversion is a continuous process; like moving from darkness to a brilliant spotlight, the closer you get to the light, the more you see your own imperfections.
5. INDIFFERENCE IS A TRAP
Indifference is a dangerous trap, and sins of omission are real obstacles on the path to sainthood. That is why Jesus said it is very difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God (Mark 10:23).
In the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), God condemns the rich man not for active malice, but for absolute indifference to his neighbor’s agony. Wealth -spiritual and material – is freely given by God to be held in trust for the benefit of all. In the Final Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46), the entry requirements for heaven are based entirely on one thing: our active attentiveness to the practical needs of others.
6. THE TWO-EDGED PATH
From conversion, the saint-to-be steps onto the narrow path of faith (Matthew 7:14), walking steadily between its two protective edges: Love (1 John 4:19-21) and Sacrifice (Hebrews 13:16). The edge of love consists of absolute submission to God and radical forgiveness of others.
The edge of sacrifice is formed of selflessness, charity, and intercessory prayer (Ephesians 6:18). As Christ sacrificed His life on the Cross, we must make sacrifices through the Corporal Works of Mercy (feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, burying the dead) and the Spiritual Works of Mercy (admonishing the sinner, instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving offenses willingly, comforting the afflicted, praying for the living and the dead).
7. LOVE YOUR VOCATION
It is not the spectacular manifestation of spiritual gifts – like healing or prophecy – but the quiet manifestation of divine love that qualifies us for heaven (Matthew 7:21-23). Spiritual gifts will pass away, but love is immortal (1 Corinthians 13:13).
You do not need to be a religious leader or church minister to qualify. Let your ordinary vocation as a worker, employer, trader, politician, or homemaker be the nursery where you grow into holiness. Serve others with selflessness (Philippians 2:3-4) and unyielding professional integrity. While earning a decent salary or honest business profit is fully legitimate, accumulating money through bribery, embezzlement, corruption, exploitation, or fraudulent scams is spiritual poison.
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8. YOUR WALKING STICK
The path to sainthood is so rough and slippery that no one can successfully navigate it without a walking stick. This essential staff is made of humility (Philippians 2:5-8) and poverty of spirit (Matthew 5:3). By humility, we surrender to God, who becomes our strength through every trial (James 4:10). By acknowledging that we have no independent power of our own, we permit God to grant us all the graces we need to complete the journey (James 4:6).
9. SUPPLIES FOR STRENGTH
When the prophet Elijah collapsed in the wilderness under the weight of despair, an angel shook him awake and presented him with bread and water, saying: “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you” (1 Kings 19:4, 7-8).
The closer you get to God, the greater your challenges become. But God has provided many fountains of sacramental grace to nourish, empower, and sustain every believer on the way to eternal life (Psalm 23:1-5, John 15:5, Romans 3:24):
i) The Word of God: God is revealed in His Word (John 1:1-3). The Word is our life and light, forming the foundation of Faith, Hope, and Love. It cleanses the sinner’s heart (John 15:3), liberates the soul (John 8:31-32), and acts as the carrier of the Holy Spirit (John 6:63). We must study and meditate upon it day and night (Joshua 1:8).
ii) The Holy Spirit: No one can enter the Kingdom without being born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5-6). The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Comforter, and Advocate who helps us pray according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27), giving us power to overcome evil (Luke 10:19). The Church administers this fire through the Sacrament of Confirmation (John 20:21-22) or through spiritual effusion via the laying on of hands (Acts 8:15-17).
Warning: For your safety, never allow anyone unrecognized or unauthorized by the Church to lay hands on your head (1 John 4:1). Maintain this fire through constant reading of the Word, active parish fellowship (Hebrews 10:25), generous service (1 Corinthians 12:4-5), and regular participation in the Holy Mass.
iii) Confession: This beautiful sacrament provides limitless restoration. The priest acts in persona Christi – for and in the place of Jesus (John 20:21-23). Confession brings spiritual cleansing (1 John 1:8-9), healing of body and soul, freedom from guilt (Romans 8:33), and cancels the punishment due for sins. Like Zacchaeus or the penitent thief (Luke 19:7-9, 23:40-43), open confession invites immediate salvation. Why die in your sins when someone – Jesus Christ – has already carried your burden? (Matthew 11:28).
iv) Holy Mass: Through transubstantiation, bread and wine become the literal Body and Blood of Christ (Luke 22:19-20). The Eucharistic Sacrifice takes away the sins of the world, nourishing our souls daily. Warning: Never take Holy Communion in a state of unconfessed mortal sin; doing so brings direct condemnation and spiritual affliction (1 Corinthians 11:26-30).
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V) The Blessed Sacrament: The living specimen of Christ’s divinity (John 6:51). In Adoration, we obtain immediate relief from our burdens, finding consolidation, healing, and supernatural peace (Matthew 11:28).
vi) The Crucifix: The ultimate emblem of Christ’s victory over death and satanic bondage (Colossians 2:15). Contemplating the Crucifix and praying the Stations of the Cross serves as a powerful means of liberation from sin and spiritual affliction (1 Corinthians 1:18, Hebrews 12:24).
vii) Spiritual Sacrifices: Night vigils, fasting, self-denial, and detachment from worldly consumerism produce extraordinary spiritual benefits for eternal life (1 Peter 2:5, Romans 12:1-2).
viii) The Immaculate Heart of Mary: Mary is the Mother of Divine Grace through whom the Savior was born (Luke 1:35). Devotion to her heart and meditation on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary supply the soul with an unyielding spiritual defense to conquer temptation (1 Samuel 17:40).
ix) Angels and Saints: Holy angels are spirit beings sent to protect, guide, and strengthen us (Hebrews 1:14, Psalm 91:11-12). Warning: Never call angels by names outside those officially recognized by the Church: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. The saints in heaven intercede for us (Revelation 8:3) and prove that the path is winnable. If they made it, we can, too. Think of how a simple human affirmation – “Yes, we can” – propelled Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States – a global superpower. How much more can that same daring ambition, backed by the omnipotent grace of God, elevate us from poor sinners into glorified Saints in heaven!
x) Prayer: The master key that unlocks every channel of grace. Prayer is an act of absolute, total dependence on the living God (Jeremiah 29:12, Matthew 7:7).
10. WELCOME TO PARADISE
Having consecrated our actions and surrendered our will to God, we are led after physical death directly into His holy presence (Matthew 27:51-52, Hebrews 10:19-20). There, we enter into the infinite joy of the Triumphant Church (Hebrews 12:23).
The saints live in a permanent state of eternal happiness, total satisfaction, and perfect fulfillment (Revelation 7:16-17), spending eternity in the breathtaking adoration and worship of God (Revelation 7:9-12). From their high place in glory, they continue to assist the Pilgrim Church on earth through their enduring inspiration and ceaseless intercession. May God bless and strengthen us as we walk the challenging path to sainthood. Amen.
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