Today’s presentation was especially fitting for All Saints’ Day, our great Feast that reminds us that holiness is possible for everyone — not just for a few extraordinary individuals, but even for families; for parents and children together; for siblings ... walking the same road toward Heaven.
The CCD Team at St. John Vianney Church organized a Saints-themed faith formation event at their parish and invited this ministry to give this presentation, and so the message naturally centered on the family as the seedbed of sanctity. I wanted to show that sainthood is not confined to one person in a household — it can flourish among several members of the same family when faith and virtue take root in the home.
To emphasize this truth, I shared the inspiring example of Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, who made it a point to raise their children "to populate Heaven". Their daughter, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, known to the world as "The Little Flower", is one of the Church’s most beloved Saints. And now, one of her sisters, Léonie Martin, is also on the path to canonization after living a deeply holy life as a Visitation nun.
We also reflected on St. John Paul II, whose parents, Karol Sr. and Emilia Wojtyła, are both being considered for sainthood in Kraków, Poland. Their faith and example clearly shaped the heart of the future pope.
And there was St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the modern-day Saint, wife, and mother. Her holiness was nourished within a family of faith — two of her brothers became priests, one sister a nun, and her brother, Fr. Alberto Beretta, has already been declared Venerable.
Finally, there is Bl. Karl of Austria, the last Emperor of the Austria-Hungary Empire, who with his wife - Empress Zita - vowed on their wedding day to help each other to get to Heaven. She is now a Servant of God.
All of these examples of sanctity — powerfully represented by the presence of their sacred relics — illustrated the beauty of All Saints’ Day: the truth that the Saints form one great family in Heaven, and that our own families here on earth are called to join their company through everyday holiness.
Other holy persons/relics featured during the event included St. Bartolo Longo, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, St. Carlo Acutis, Ven. Domenica Lazzeri, St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Padre Pio, Our Lady & St. Joseph — witnesses of God’s grace in every age and state of life.
The audience was wonderfully attentive and appreciative, and it was particularly touching to see all of the families approach the relics to pay their respects and to pray. It felt like a special grace for this All Saints’ Day gathering.
And the children's "Saints Parade" costume contest that followed was a delight to see! There were three Carlo Acutis contestants (including one of the dads!), which showed just how popular he is with our youngsters!
It was a great way to celebrate our Feast of All Saints! All thanks and praises be to God, to our Blessed Mother, and to all the Saints — our heavenly family who continue to inspire us to live holy lives right where we are!
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