The Call to Sanctity

The Church, over the centuries, has held up certain men and women as indispensable role-models for us in our struggle to keep, lovingly, to the ways set for us in our lives by God. As Saint Josemaria Escrivá, Founder of Opus Dei (canonised in 2002) so often pointed out, Sanctity is not the exclusive preserve of a chosen ‘high-profile’ few who may have done momentous things, such as dying a Martyr’s death or working miracles. Even our Blessed Mother, although her Immaculate Conception, her consent to the Archangel Gabriel’s message (our salvation depended upon it) and her totally Perfect Life on Earth were certainly not ‘everyday’ happenings, lived what the world would consider to be an ‘unremarkable’ life. Mary was content to live in her ‘anonymity’ in the sure knowledge that, however much those around her might overlook her, the one Person who really mattered, God, saw all and was greatly pleased by it.

Saint Josemaria underlined the fact as did the Fathers of Vatican II, later, that we are all called to Holiness; from the most to the least prominent in the Human Race, all are created by God who Wills that, however long, short or ‘unnoticed’ their life is, they do their best to respond to the Grace of God.
 
The Little Flower, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, is another prime example; the sanctity of her life and the profundity of her writing on the ‘Little Way’ reinforce the breadth and the depth of the Call to Holiness. Saint Martin dePorres’ life is also well worth reading; illegitimate, of mixed-race and, so, at that time, looked down on, his life of Charity would certainly put many of us to shame in our attitudes to those whom the world (and we?) consider ‘beneath us’; Saint Gianna Molla, an Italian paediatrician, denied herself cancer treatment and, subsequently, died in order that her unborn Daughter could live; the Venerable Matt Talbot, an obscure working-man, conquered alcoholism. The list goes on and on.
 
If the great multitude of Witnesses to God seems a bit daunting and you are seeking inspiration for yourself and your Children, maybe the Saints named above might provide an ‘entry’ to an inspiring gallery of role-models. If not then how about researching your name-Saints; is there a particular Saint named as Patron of the Country in which you or your ancestors have roots? Those in various professions can usually find a Saint who worked in the same line. There are countless examples of Saints who, quietly, got on with being Husbands, Wives and Parents, the often ‘unsung heroes’ without whom other Saints would not have later come to exist.
 
Finally, don’t omit to read the lives of Saintly Priests, such as Saint John Mary Vianney or our own Saint Pope John Paul II; our Pope and Priests are in the ‘front-line’ of the battle against Satan. They, as well as we, need the assistance of the Saints.

​The image depicts St. Josemaria Escrivá, Founder of Opus Dei (canonised in 2002)