Saints and Our Call to Holiness
I want to take a moment to reflect on the significance of saints in our Catholic faith and encourage our children to recognize their own call to holiness. Saints are individuals who have lived lives of heroic virtue, made great sacrifices, or even given their lives for their faith. The Church honors over 10,000 saints—ranging from martyrs and missionaries to theologians and everyday people—each serving as a role model for us in our journey toward God.
It is important for our children to understand that all baptized Catholics are part of the communion of saints. The Catechism teaches us that there is a bond of charity connecting those in heaven, those in purgatory, and those of us here on earth. We can teach our children that we are part of a larger community of faith beyond our immediate family and parish. I invite you to ask your child about their favorite saint; this can be a wonderful way to engage in meaningful conversations at home.
One saint that holds special meaning for me is Elizabeth Ann Seton. As the founder of the first Catholic school in the United States, she paved the way for Catholic education and inspired countless students and educators. In fact, her story personally inspired my journey toward becoming a Catholic school principal.
I also want to highlight Carlo Acutis, a remarkable young person on the path to becoming the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church. Carlo was a devout Catholic who, despite dying of leukemia at just 15 years old in 2006, utilized the internet to share his faith. He created a website documenting Eucharistic miracles and supported various Catholic organizations' online efforts. His story is a powerful reminder of how faith can be expressed in today’s digital age. Carlo’s canonization process began in 2013, and he was declared "venerable" in 2018, with canonization expected in 2025. The Vatican has recognized two miracles attributed to him, including the healing of a Brazilian boy and a girl in Costa Rica after their families prayed at his tomb.
How might St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Carlo Acutis, St. Dominic, or another sainthood story encourage your family to live out their own faith journeys and strive for holiness?