As we celebrate the saints and remember the holy souls, I recall with joy and thanksgiving the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit we hosted on June 7, 8, and 9. This exhibition was made possible through the heroic efforts of over 100 volunteers. The number of people who visited us was astonishing – over 1,600 from 122 towns and cities in Massachusetts as well as from 8 neighboring states. There is a great hunger for the Eucharist. It is the “Sacrament of Sacraments.” Truly Jesus.
There is also a great hunger in the world to be inspired by greatness. There are no better models for true greatness on earth than our saints. Our Eucharistic Miracles exhibit would not have come together as it did without blessed Carlo Acutis. This teenager who gathered and curated tis amazing set of materials will be raised to sainthood next year as a result of a second miracle attributed to his intercession.
As Catholics we are blessed by our relationships with a wide array of men and women throughout the centuries who are recognized in heaven after living lives of exemplary holiness on earth.
“Holiness does not consist of a few heroic gestures, but of many small acts of daily love,” Pope Francis said. “To serve the Gospel and our brothers and sisters, to offer our lives without expecting anything in return or any worldly glory, this is our calling.”
The Holy Father speaks of the saints as having embraced their individual vocation with enthusiasm. In doing so, “They discovered an incomparable joy and they became brilliant reflections of the Lord of history. May we strive to do the same. The path of holiness is universal, and it begins with baptism. May we strive to follow it, for each of us is called to holiness, to a form of holiness all our own.”
Pope Francis encourages us to imitate the saints, to provide an evangelical witness, to foster spiritual and social growth of our community and of the entire human family. He calls on us to apply the models of the saints to inspire solutions of togetherness and ways of dialogue, especially in the hearts and minds of those who hold positions of great responsibility.
On Sunday, November 3, we have the opportunity to give public witness to the Faith by participating in our parish’s annual All Saints Procession. Just as our Eucharistic Miracles exhibit required over 100 volunteers, our All Saints Procession requires many volunteers as well – in fact, close to 200!
I ask that men volunteering to carry a saint to contact me please by email at [email protected] and include your heights. Men, women and teens desiring to carry a banner or radio, please contact Janice Donahue at [email protected]. Lastly, I am overjoyed to announce that we are adding three new banners to our procession this year: [1] Our Lady of Parecida, [2] Blessed Carlo Acutis, and [3] Saint Dulce of the Poor! I look forward to seeing everyone outside the front of our Church on Sunday afternoon, November 3, at 3 pm.