We had invited him to talk with us about the Saints: what makes one a saint and what role they have in the life of the Church. He began by saying that Saints are made by God, and affirmed by the faithful. He shared that the role of a saint is to assist others in their devotion to God.
When addressing the issue of veneration of the saints, he shared that a its roots, any mention of saints in the prayers of the living is primarily an affirmation of the communion of saints. It is an acknowledgement that when we pray we are united with all the faithful in every time and every place. It is a celebration that distance, time, nor even death separates us from those who have informed and/or strengthened our faith.
When invokes St. Peter, the prayer which follows connects my experience with his: his devotion to Jesus, as well as his doubting, are brought into my current prayer. Fr. Bob's Order would speak in their prayers of St. Francis, and in so doing re-affirm their commitment to simplicity and service.
These are some of the Saints known the all of Christendom. Our invocations are more likely to include our grandparents, or SCS Teachers. No less than the Saints mentioned above, these Saints are also with us, in the Communion of the Saints - they are present and the mentioning of their name and their witness
brings their faith and their strengthening of my faith into the current petition.
Fr. Bob reminded us that the communion of saints is an assurance that when our faith is weak or wavering, the faith of others will bear us up. When their faith wavers, ours does the same for them. We draw from the strength of the Saints - they are with us, regardless of separation of time and distance. Not even death can separate us from one another.
As you observe this All Saints' Day, remember those who have strengthened your faith. Give thanks for them, and know that they are still with you.
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