The Saints give us a model to follow, a testimony of charity and love

Today we honor those holy men and women who preceded us in the faith and did so in a glorious way. As we honor these great champions of faith, we reflect on who they are and the role they continue to play in the life of the Church. The following excerpt is from chapter 8 of My Catholic Faith! :

The triumphant Church: those who went before us and now share the glories of Heaven, in the beatific vision, have not gone away. Of course, we don't see them and we can't necessarily hear them talking to us in the physical way they did when they were on Earth. But they haven't left at all. Saint Therese of Lisieux said it best when she said: “I want to spend my paradise doing good on Earth”.

The saints in heaven are in full union with God and make up the Communion of saints in heaven, the triumphant Church! What is important to note, however, is that even though they are enjoying their eternal reward, they are still very concerned about us.

The saints of Heaven are entrusted with the important task of intercession. Of course, God already knows all of our needs and may ask us to go directly to Him in our prayers. But the truth is that God wants to use the intercession and therefore the mediation of the saints in our life. He uses them to bring our prayers to him and, in return, to bring us his grace. They become powerful intercessors for us and participants in God's divine action in the world.

Because that's how it is? Again, why doesn't God simply choose to deal with us directly rather than go through intermediaries? Because God wants all of us to share in His good work and share in His divine plan. It would be like a dad buying a beautiful necklace for his wife. She shows it to her young children and they are thrilled with this gift. The mother enters and the father asks the children to bring her the gift. Now the gift is from her husband, but she will most likely thank her children first for their participation in giving her this gift. The father wanted the children to participate in this gift and the mother wanted the children to become part of her receiving and gratitude. So it is with God! God wants the saints to participate in the distribution of His multiple gifts. And this act fills his heart with joy!

The saints also give us a model of holiness. The charity they lived on Earth lives on. The testimony of their love and sacrifice was not just a one-time act in history. Rather, charity is alive and continues to have a positive effect. Therefore, the charity and testimony of the saints lives and affects our lives. This charity in their life creates a bond with us, a communion. It allows us to love them, admire them and want to follow their example. It is this, together with their continued intercession, that establishes a powerful bond of love and union with us.

Lord, while the saints of Heaven adore You for eternity, I pray for their intercession. Saints of God, please come to my helper. Pray for me and bring me the grace I need to live a holy life in imitation of your own lives. All saints of God, pray for us. Jesus I believe in you.