I was just remembering today a delightful homily given by Fr. Carl Gismondi two years ago, and I thought I would share a memorable snippet from it in honor of All Saints’ Day. In this homily, he was describing for us the multitudes of white-robed saints and martyrs in heaven, and pointing out that there have undoubtedly been many, many more people who have been saved than the Church will ever formally canonize. Of course, saints are recognized by the Church only so they can serve as examples to us in the Church Militant. Many of history’s truly holy souls may have been utterly forgotten here below, but of course, the just will never be forgotten among the heavenly courts. This is why, as Fr. Gismondi explained, we must have a day for those scores of other saints who we don’t happen to know about individually. So, if you’re in heaven, and you haven’t been given a particular day of your own, then today is your special day.

I find it very comforting to think of those multitudes of holy ones, looking down on us tenderly even though we’re quite ignorant of them. Forgotten saints from across the ages, pray for us!