All Saints Day

ALL SAINTS' DAY

All Saints’ Day is celebrated in many Christian churches to honour all those deceased who have attained what might be called spiritual maturity whether they have been formally canonized or not.

When I was a little girl I loved reading the Lives of the Saints series. The martyr, St Lawrence, remains one of my favorites because of his bravery and humour. Imagine asking his torturers to turn him over on the spit because he was done on one side. Martin de Porres was another favorite because of his kindness and dedication. St. Patrick, after whom my Dad was named, continues to be well celebrated in my family because of our Irish heritage. The list seemed endless.

To a child the stories of the saints were full of adventure and mirrored what I believed a good Christian life might look like. It was amazing how many different paths took them to be honoured in heaven.

I continue to be grateful for the short reflections available in the back of the Living with Christ periodical. As an adult their stories give me pause to reflect on my own journey to goodness. What might I learn from their experience that will help me to embrace each moment ?

In these days I most often experience the lives of the saints in the people whose lives have touched mine. Quiet pauses throughout the day bring the gift of memories to me of former caring neighbours, listening teachers, discerning priests, loving parents, faith filled friends and justice seeking religious and fun loving relatives. I know they are certainly among the communion of saints.

This All Saints’ Day I will spend time with those closest to my heart who have gone before me but left many gifts leading me act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly towards the God who call us home.

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

,

Everyday Saints

,

While travelling in the south of France a few years ago, I saw in many shop windows in Marseilles and the surrounding Provence area attractive displays of little figurines. I was intrigued by the colour, shape and variety of these little four- inch people representing a myriad of careers and walks of life. I soon learned that these pottery renderings are known as santons, “little saints” or everyday saints.

The first clay santons were created as crèche figurines by Marsellais artisan Jean Louis Lagnel (1764-1822). His Christmas scenes soon grew to include representations or colorful townspeople as well as traditional trades, activities and costumes of Provence. Their creation has been essentially a family craft handed down from generation to generation. Today santons have outgrown the manger tableau and have become popular, mass produced figurines of ordinary people sold in shops, churches and homes in several countries.

Back in Marseilles, I carefully chose my “dancing lady” from among a myriad of colourful santons and brought her safely home to Canada. She inspired me to realize that we are, in our own unique ways, “little saints”. This awareness has grown within me to the point where seeing the magnificent stained glass saints depicted in church windows leads me to ponder the ordinary aspects of their lives which are similar to ours in spite of the passing years and generations. Yes, each revered saint has made a special contribution to God and society in some spectacular or understated manner. However, daily I see men, women and children going about their lives doing good works while bringing joy and peace to those whose lives they touch. They are all saints too – everyday saints living in our midst.

Be Happy!  All Saints Day

Jean Moylan, CSJ