Hagiography [hag-ee-og-ruh-fee]
the study of the lives of the saints.
“I will be their God and they will be my children.” – Rev. 21:7
Last Sunday, a few brothers and sisters from my household, along with myself, took a road trip to the states to celebrate mass and visit Fatima Shrine. I’ve always heard of youth going there with their families but this was my first time visiting. When we entered the church, the first thing I noticed was the way the pews surrounded the altar. So much so that it seemed like the altar was completely invading the space of the congregation. The next thing I noticed was a red flame burning on the Paschal candle. I wondered why the candle burned a bold red; usually candles within a church burn a bright yellow.
After the mass, all of us separated to explore the different areas of the shrine, having our own personal prayer time. After spending some time inside of the church, I exited the church and began walking outside around the gardens of the shrine. I heard that Blessed John Paul II would frequently take walks outside and pray the rosary, and so I did as well. I was amazed to discover dozens and dozens of statues of the saints, it was so beautiful. My heart was so full of joy and wonder, thinking about the various hundreds of people that devoted their life completely to Christ. As I walked through the garden, it felt as if I was meeting each saint personally. I would look into the eyes of each statue and I could feel the different personalities of each saint. I thought that this was what heaven must be like. Imagine being able to personally meet each and every saint that ever existed, what an amazing experience that would be!
As I was coming to the end of meeting all the saints in the garden, I realized something. Right now, I am so focused and worried on where the Lord will lead me and what my vocation will be. I realized that no matter where God calls me, whether that would be religious life, full-time pastoral work, marriage, or single blessedness, all I know is that I want to be a saint. Every time a saint is canonized, it is reminder of God’s call for us to fully surrender to Him. Also, with the life of every saint, God shows us the infinite extent of His transforming power, if we can say yes to Him.
As I reflect now, the way the church in the shrine was set up reflects on the essentials of the life of a saint. Primarily, the person’s life must be invaded by the living and breathing presence of Christ, if you recall the invasion of the altar into the congregation. Secondly, the red flame on the Paschal candle signifies the blood of the saints, as their lives were all willingly offered for the glory of God the Father!
We are all called to live a life fit for a saint. It is in this holiness that we are worthy of being sons and daughters of Christ! To be a saint is to offer to God what He has given us; our time, talents, treasures, and most of all our lives. The Lord desires for our yes, so that He can shower us with an unending, overflowing, limitless, ocean of His love. To be a saint is to fully surrender ourselves to Christ. To be a saint is to offer our lives as a sacrifice in union with Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. To be a saint is to trust in the unconditional faithfulness of the Lord so that we may be fearless.
Almighty Father, stir up within us the constant desire to pursue You and the holiness that You freely provide for us. May Catholics everywhere realize their personal call to sainthood and the importance of the sanctity of life. Fill in us the thirst and hunger to know You more. Grant us with everything we need to bravely answer the call to devote our lives fully to You, in accordance with Your Will. Pray for us, all angels and saints. Amen.