Called to Be Saints, Called to Use Wealth Wisely
As we begin the month of November, the Church invites us to reflect on three important aspects of our Christian life: our call to holiness, the reality of death and our responsibility to use the gifts God has entrusted to us wisely. The Pope’s prayer intention for this month focuses on the proper use of wealth, reminding us that material possessions are not ends in themselves but gifts to be used for the good of others, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.
This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, remembering not only the saints officially recognized by the Church but also the countless holy men and women who lived their faith quietly and faithfully. The first reading from the Book of Revelation presents a great multitude from every nation, race, people, and language standing before the throne of God. This beautiful vision reminds us that holiness is not reserved for a particular nation, culture, or social background. God calls people from every walk of life to share in His eternal glory.
On November 2, we commemorate All Souls’ Day, praying especially for those who have died and are still being purified on their journey towards the fullness of life with God. This tradition has deep roots in the early Church, where Christians prayed for their departed brothers and sisters. Its observance on November 2 was established in the monasteries associated with St. Odilo of Cluny in the year 998 and gradually spread throughout the Church. We express our faith in the Communion of Saints: the spiritual bond uniting the faithful on earth, the saints in heaven, and those being purified.
The Church also offers us the opportunity to obtain indulgences for the departed. A plenary indulgence, which may be applied to a soul in purgatory, is granted to those who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray for the dead on any day from November 1 to 8. Archbishop Richard Smith, in his message for All Souls Day, has encouraged us to visit Gardens of Gethsemane cemetery. All Souls’ Day, a plenary indulgence may also be obtained by devoutly visiting a church or oratory and reciting the Our Father and the Creed. In both cases, the usual conditions apply: sacramental confession, Holy Communion, prayer for the Pope’s intentions, and complete detachment from sin, even venial sin.
As we remember our departed loved ones, let us offer Masses and prayers for them, visit their graves, and entrust them to God's mercy. May our remembrance inspire us to live holy lives, use our wealth generously, and keep our hearts fixed on the eternal home God has prepared for us.
In the Gospel of this Sunday, Jesus gives us the Beatitudes—the true path to holiness. He blesses the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. These are not merely beautiful ideals; they are practical ways of living the Gospel in our homes, workplaces, parish, and wider community. As St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
There is a beautiful saying: “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” Our past mistakes and failures do not have to determine our future. God's mercy continually offers us the opportunity to begin again. No matter where we come from or what we have done, we are never beyond the reach of God's grace. Holiness is not about being perfect from the beginning; it is about allowing God to transform us day by day.
This call to holiness also shapes how we use our wealth. Pope Francis taught in Evangelii Gaudium that “money must serve, not rule!” Our possessions, talents, and resources become blessings when we use them generously to serve others and build a more compassionate world.
As we enter November, let us ask ourselves: Am I growing in holiness? Am I using what God has given me for the good of others? May the saints inspire us, the Beatitudes guide us, faithful departed intercede for us, and God's grace strengthen us to become saints in our own time—one loving action at a time.
