Today the church celebrates the Solemnity of All the Saints, otherwise known as All Saints' Day. The Christian celebration of All Saints' Day focusses on the commemoration of all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven. During the five years of his pontificate thus far, Pope Francis was canonized a total of 42 new Saints. The most recent of these where canonized on October 14 of this year - during the celebration of the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
It might be helpful to look back today and to remember at least some of those who have been canonized over the last five years, including: Saint Marie of the Incarnation (28 October 1599-30 April 1672), a missionary Ursuline Nun who founded the Ursuline Order in Canada; Saint François- Xavier de Montmerency-Laval (30 April 1623-6 May 1708), the first Bishop of Quebec City (Canada); Saint John XXIII (25 November 1881-3 June 1963) who served as the Bishop of Rome from 28 October 1958 until his death; Saint John Paul II (18 May 1920-2 April 2005) who served as Bishop of Rome from 16 October 1978 until his death; Saint Louis and Saint Marie-Azélie Martin, parents of Saint Thérèse de Lisieux; Saint Teresa of Calcutta (26 August 1910-5 September 1997); Saint Francisco Marto (11 June 1908-4 April 1919) and his sister Saint Jacinta Marto (5 March 1910-20 February 1020) who witnessed the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima; Saint Paul VI (26 September 1897-6 August 1978) who served as Bishop of Rome from 21 June 1963 until his death; and Saint Oscar Romero (15 August 1917-24 March 1980) the Archbishop of San Salvador (El Salvador) who was martyred because he spoke out in favour of the poor.
These holy men and women are part of a great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1) who are constantly interceding for us in heaven. How lucky we all are to have such celestial heroes on our side!
Have a great day.
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