The word “saint” is derived from the Latin sanctus, which means “holy.” To become holy, to become a saint, we follow the example of Christ’s life and teachings, trying to identify completely with him in both word and action.
The history of the Church is the history of holiness. By virtue of our Baptism, we all – priests, religious, and laity – are called to be holy witnesses to Christ in all circumstances. For almost 2000 years, the Church has been influencing the lives of those she has touched by passing on the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. Many holy men and women over the centuries have served Christ and his Church by showing exemplary love for God and neighbor and witnessing to the Gospel message to people throughout the world. Many of these holy people are officially recognized by the Church as saints.
“All Christians are called to be saints. Saints are persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived vitreous lives in a heroic way or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation.” (USCCB)
A saint is any member of the faithful who is committed to seeking holiness. St. Paul referred to the living faithful as saints on several occasions.
“What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.” (Eph 4:9-13)
This imitation of Christ has led many people to exciting lives and to live their faith to the fullest. The early Church, for example, saw a great number of people gladly live their new faith in Christ and even die for their beliefs. In every age, those who follow Christ have suffered rejection. Christ warned us to expect this: “I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world” (Jn 17:14). But he also spoke words of encouragement: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).
The first 300 years of the Church saw many Christians die for Christ during the persecution first by the Jewish authorities and then under the Roman Empire. Christians have died for their faith in every century and on every continent. During World War II, millions of Christians were killed by the communists and the Nazis for witnessing to Christ. Many more, in fact, died as martyrs in the twentieth century than in the early Church.
Although most of us probably will not be required to die for Christ in this manner, he expects all of us to strive to become saints in our ordinary lives. The universal call to holiness demands nothing less than to live with the ultimate goal of Heaven on our hearts.
St. Josemaria Escriva (1902-1975), a Spanish Roman Catholic priest, throughout his life helped point the way to sanctity for lay men and women by helping them understand that ordinary persons could become saints. His mission was to lead all to sanctify their lives and their work for the good of the Church through a personal apostolate with others. He taught them to approach their ordinary daily lives with cheerfulness and happiness and to sanctify themselves, their work, and others for the glory of God. In this way, the faithful can transform their very lives into continuous prayer.
“Dear children! A fire of hatred and wars is spreading in the hearts of people who do not want peace but their own weak interests. That is why, little children, you be prayer and my extended hands of love and peace for all those who are far from my motherly heart. Pray more strongly and more for the peace that God desires to give you but you do not want it. I am with you and I am praying that peace may prevail and reign in every heart. Thank you for having responded to my call.”