Today, November 1st, is All Saints Day, a major feast in the life of the Christian church. And as the name implies it’s the day when we celebrate all the saints. So, who is a saint?

I’ve often said that there are “big letter” Saints and “small letter” saints. And today, I checked the Merriam Webster Dictionary, and it affirmed that choice of language. One definition of saint is one officially recognized especially through canonization as preeminent for holiness. Another is one of the spirits of the departed in heaven.

What that means to me is that on All Saints Day, we celebrate and acknowledge the saints that are known to the whole Christian community, and we celebrate those saints who are known to us alone. But why. Why do we celebrate the saints?

I love hearing the stories of the Saints because I find so many of them inspirational. One of my favorites is Catherine of Siena. She lived from 1347-1380. In an age when many women were not educated and every girl was expected to marry, Catherine defied the odds. She studied. She entered a convent. She had visions. And she traveled to Rome to offer advice to popes. Seriously! She was even named a Doctor of the Church, the only woman (still) ever to hold the title. As a woman in ministry, I am inspired by Catherine’s grit, faith, and courage.

I am also comforted by remembering and celebrating my own personal saints. This year, the woman who was like a second mother to me, entered the communion of saints. Joyce, along with her husband Tom, taught my high school confirmation class. She was a living example to me of what faithful adult Christian living looked like. And, thinking about it, their marriage was as solid example loving Christian marriage. We lost touch for many years, but the wonders of Facebook reconnected us – and we enjoyed that reconnection.

We’ll celebrate our saints here at St. Thomas on Sunday November 6th during worship. You are invited to bring something that reminds you of your saint(s). You can bring a photo or another small memento with you to church. Following the peace, each of us will come forward to name our saints and place our item(s) on an altar of remembrance. We will also remember the two members of our church who have died since last All Saints Day: The Rev. Peter Gray and Kadri Kallikorm-Rhodes.

If you are unable to join us in person and you would like to have a loved one include in the altar of remembrance, you can send me a photo by replying to this email.

I am looking forward to celebrating All Saints Day with all of you.

~Fran

St. Catherine of Siena