Sails in the sunset at Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia.
Photo : G Ross.
Some sailed over the ocean in ships, earning their living on the seas.
They saw what the Lord can do,
His wonderful acts on the seas.
Ps 107 : 23 – 24.

Issue 5, September 2006, Highlights:

Editorial

Viewpoint

Farewell to the Pallotines

Creating a Vocations Culture 1

Creating a Vocations Culture 2

Creating a Vocations Culture 3

Remote communities of La Grange

KCP Magazine

Viewpoint
When the Saints come marching in...

By Bishop Christopher Saunders

We The death in recent months of a few people I have known well has set me thinking about Saints and the question of what constitutes saintliness. While we believe that the pursuit of holiness is the vocation to which all the baptised are called, whether or not we attain the state of being “a holy person” is ultimately a question that only God can answer. However, having said that, there definitely are some people for whom the accolade of “Saint” or being "holy" is not at all disputed by those who knew them. It is about these, the commonly acclaimed Saints that I write.

Something distinguishes the good person – “a fine woman”, “a great bloke” – from the Saint. They have much in common but the attainment of “saintliness” requires more than mere positive attributes of character. In its essence Saintliness is about the living out of a proper relationship with God which naturally means a proper relationship in charity with one’s fellow travellers. This relationship is grounded in a fervent love for God and a belief that God’s love in return is boundless. Saintliness is hopefulness personified. Such a person is unhesitatingly convinced of the forgiveness God lavishes on us ceaselessly.

When I think of these Saints I have known, the ones who have died recently, I recall how hopeful they remained – sometimes in the face of huge adversity and trials. It is not that these common Saints are without faults or weaknesses. It is more that they confidently yet humbly asked forgiveness from God for their faults and failures and rejoiced as they received the forgiveness they sought. Theirs was a life actively avoiding sin and forgiving others. When they did sin they sought the grace of forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. More than that, they were always hopeful about others and their relationship with God. They believed that nobody in their family or in their community was so far removed from the state of holiness that there was cause for despair.

They addressed the needs of others in the positive practise of prayer which they knew could remedy any situation no matter how desperate it may seem to those people not blessed with a living faith. Prayer for them was ‘doing something’ and doing something extremely useful which brought peace and purpose to a confused world.

The other thing I noticed about these everyday Saints is their extraordinary love and yearning for the Eucharist. They knew that there is a nourishment in the Mass unsurpassed by any other sacred happening. Having life and having it to the full meant for them gaining the presence of Christ within through the wonder of Holy Communion.

A proper relationship with God and others, an abundance of charity, an unbridled hopefulness, a ready forgiveness of others and a gratefulness for the forgiveness sought from God, a fervent prayer life and a dedication to the Eucharist – these are the hallmarks of a Saint. Let their lives and the lives of others like them be our constant inspiration.

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