By Deacon Jay VanHoosier
A Matter of Faith
The Solemnity of All Saints is a profound celebration in the Catholic Church, honoring not only the canonized saints but also the countless unnamed individuals who have lived lives of holiness and faith. This feast reminds us of the universal call to holiness and how the saints, by their example, draw us ever closer to the Eucharist and to our vocation as Christian disciples.
Saints as witnesses to the Eucharist
The Eucharist lies at the heart of the saints’ lives, serving as the source of their strength and guidance. For saints throughout history, such as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Eucharist was not merely symbolic, but the real presence of Christ that nourished their faith and devotion. Their Eucharistic spirituality was marked by deep reverence and love, as they found in this sacrament the model of perfect sacrifice.
The Eucharist, central to the saints’ lives, is not a private devotion but a communal celebration, uniting the living and the dead in the Body of Christ. Through this sacrament, we are united with both Christ and the saints, forming one communion. All Saints’ Day, therefore, highlights the “Communion of Saints,” reminding us that the Church transcends the earthly realm and extends into heaven.
The saints call us to discipleship
The saints’ lives reveal that the Eucharist compels action. Each saint lived out discipleship uniquely but shared a common mission of following Christ wholeheartedly. Their examples call us not just to receive the Eucharist but to live Eucharistically, embodying Christ’s self-giving love in our daily lives. The Eucharist empowers us for this mission, urging us to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
Saints like St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Augustine demonstrated that discipleship requires self-sacrifice, the willingness to take up one’s cross and trust in God’s grace. Their lives of service, sacrifice and theological reflection transformed the world and challenge us to follow Christ with the same radical commitment.
Drawing us to the Eucharist and the saints
All Saints’ Day invites us to reflect on the saints’ relationship to the Eucharist. Just as they drew strength from it, we are called to frequent and devout reception of this sacrament. The Eucharist nourishes us spiritually and prepares us to live out our call to holiness.
This feast is not only a celebration of those who have reached heaven but also a reminder of our own call to sainthood. The saints, through their lives and intercession, encourage us to pursue holiness and guide us on our journey of discipleship. As we honor them, we are inspired to live lives rooted in the Eucharist, striving for the same holiness they attained. Ultimately, All Saints’ Day teaches us that sainthood is possible, and the Eucharist is our source of grace for that journey.
Deacon Jay W. VanHoosier, MAT, MSEd, is a deacon for the Diocese of Evansville. Deacon Jay serves as the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Owensboro, Kentucky. He writes a monthly article, “A Matter of Faith,” for “The Western Kentucky Catholic.”