Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800th Anniversary of His Death: January 10, 2026-January 10, 2027
November is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory
The Lord's are the earth and its fullness.
OUR LADY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS,
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,
SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,
PRAY FOR US.
THOSE WHO ARE LEAST REMEMBERED,
JESUS, HAVE MERCY!
THOSE WHO ENDURE THE GREATEST SUFFERINGS,
JESUS, HAVE MERCY!
THOSE WHO MOST DESIRE TO BE UNITED TO TO,
JESUS, HAVE MERCY!
ALL FOR WHOM LOVE OR DUTY CALLS ME TO PRAY,
JESUS, HAVE MERCY!
Welcome to November, dear faithful readers. By way of friendly reminder, it is my favorite month of the liturgical year! November is a great month, the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory and full of saintly GREATS to cheer us on! And one of them is my patron. Did I hear a collective "Woo-hoo"? So, who are the GREAT saints ... Hmmm. We have Pope Saint Gregory the Great, Doctor (d. 604), Saint Leo the Great, Doctor (391-461), Saint Albert the Great, Doctor (d. 1280), and with a drum roll please ... Saint Gertrude the Great of Helfta (1256-1301/2). Sure, there are others who are great (all saints formally canonized or not) like Saint Anthony and Pope Saint Paul II but we are talking about the ones formally given the much-revered title “The Great." Put your hands together. ☺
This month is chock full of delights. Things kick off with a holy day of obligation on November 1, a Sunday this year, with All Saints' Day, followed by All Souls' Day on November 2. The First Sunday of Advent comes on November 29, the day before we commemorate Saint Andrew the Apostle. In between all of that are saints galore. Mary, Queen of saints, cover us in your protective veil.
Since it is the month of saints and holiness, it seems we might be about our pursuit of holiness. After all, all the faithful are united as we respond to the universal call to holiness as put for in Lumen Gentium Christ is the light of the peoples, The Dogmatic Constitution of the Church. It is not as daunting as it sounds, albeit a mouthful. In the Constitution, Chapter V, "The Universal Call to Holiness in the Church," paragraph 40, we read "that all the faithful of Christ, of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity; by this holiness as such a more human manner of living promoted in this earthly society." In other words, all of us, no matter our state in life (married, single, religious, priest, deacon, and so on) united in faith and prayer, are called to be holy people, saints in the making. Essentially there is no way around it. Pope Saint John Paul II (1920-2005), at World Youth Day 2000, encouraged us: "Do not be afraid to be the saints of the new millennium," as the millennium marches on whether we are young, old, or somewhere in between. And we certainly need a more human manner of living in our world, a manner that speaks of kindness and love.
At the same time, however, we might heed the tongue in cheek admonition of Saint Benedict, in Chapter 4 of the Holy Rule, "The Tools for Good Works." It is in verse 62 where Saint Benedict writes, "Do not aspire to called holy before you really are, but first be holy that you may more truly be called so." One way to go about that is to listen to the anonymous author of the Cloud of Unknowing, who writes, "Judging others, pronouncing them good or bad, is God's business. We may evaluate behavior, but not the person." Each one of us, no matter our sins, good or not so good deeds, way of acting, thoughts, doing sometimes "outrageous" things that we might one time have said, "I would never do that," and so on, are made in the image and likeness of God. And God, in His infinite mercy, patience, love, and goodness, loves each and every one of us the same. Yes, even the great troublemakers of the world, and little ones too, are loved by God. Even those doing desperate things to look after their loved ones. We never know another person's story. There is much more to each one of us than meets the eye. Remember what the Lord said to Samuel: "Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
When composing this entry, I was in the midst of a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Respect Life Novena (October 22-30, 2026) and read this reflection that turns out to be related to our theme, and a reminder of the privilege of our sacramental life in the Church.
No sin is unforgiveable, and no sinner is beyond redemption. We have all failed and we are all in need of God's mercy. It is for this very reason that Christ suffered, died, and rose again. Christ came to offer us His infinite love and mercy, and we can receive it in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
And on Day 8 of the Novena, this was part of the reflection that turns out to be related our call to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.
Our Lord calls us to imitate Him by witnessing to the inherent dignity of every person, including those whose actions have been despicable. Our hope lies in the mercy of God who says to us, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Mt 5:7) and "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" (Mt 9:13) ...
As Christians, we are called to witness to the Gospel of life, hope, and mercy.
So instead of judging others, pronouncing them good or bad, and/or deserving of the wrath of God, perhaps we could consider praying for one another. And also listen to Saint Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians where he writes, "Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ" (Eph 4:31). And look to the example of Blessed Giovanni Shciavo (1903-1967) who was "friendly, sympathetic, patient, and spiritually sensitive to the needs of others, bringing peace and joy to his community." Kyrie eleison.
On the path to holiness, then, and as "we progress in this way of life and in faith, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love" (Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 49), may we be encouraged and strengthened by the following voices.
The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them ... We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness.
(From a sermon by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, abbot, 1090-1153, Sermon 2)
Being disciples of Jesus and advancing on the path to holiness means first and foremost letting ourselves be transfigured by the power of God's love ... The love that we receive from the Lord is the force that transforms our lives. It opens our hearts and enables us to love ...
In practice, what does it mean to live this love? To love means this: to serve and to give one's life ... Specifically, we should ask ourselves, "What do I do for others?" That is what it means to love, to go about our daily lives in a spirit of service, with unassuming love and without seeking any recompense.
(Homily of His Holiness Pope Frances, Holy Mass and Canonization of the Blesseds, May 15, 2022)
Do not be afraid of holiness. It will not take away your energy, vitality, or joy. On the contrary, you will become what the Father had in mind when He created you, and you will be faithful to your deepest self. To depend on God sets us free from every form of enslavement and leads us to recognize our great dignity ... Holiness does not make you less human, since it is an encounter between your weakness and the power of God's grace. For in the words of Leon Bloy, when all is said and done, "the only great tragedy in life is not to become a saint."
(Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et exsultate, 32,34
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matthew 5:48)
Always consider others as more holy and more worthy than you, at the same time strive to be as holy as you can be.
(Saint Martin de Porres, 1579-1639)
Set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
(1 Timothy 4:12)
If you have a kind heart, your words and deeds will also be kind. If you foster more kind thoughts, you will necessarily be richer in kind deeds ... The interior beauty of your soul through habitual kindness of thought is greater than words can describe.
(Lawrence G Lovasik, d. 1986, The Hidden Power of Kindness, quoted in Magnificat, October 14, 2026, p. 193)
Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wants us to be.
(Saint Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, 1873-1897, Manuscript A, Chapter I)
In His will is our peace.
(Dante, Paradiso, Canto 3, line 85)
He is our peace.
(Ephesians 2:14)
I'm a poor thing, a goose. Teach me. I want to become a saint!
(Saint Mary Bertilla Boscardin, 1888-1822, to her first novice mistress)
There is no saint without a past, and no sinner without a future.
(Saint Augustine, 354-430)
She could never be a saint, but she thought she could be a martyr if they killed her quick.
(Flannery O' Connor, 1925-1964, in "A Temple of the Holy Ghost")
I understood that to become a saint one had to suffer much, seek out always the most perfect thing to do, and forget self. I understood, too, there were many degrees of perfection and each soul was free to respond to the advances of Our Lord, to do little or much for Him, in a word to choose among the sacrifices He was asking. Then, as in the days of my childhood, I cried out, "My God, 'I choose all!' I don't want to be a saint by halves, I'm not afraid to suffer for You, I fear only one thing: to keep my own will; so take it, for 'I choose all' that You will!"
(Saint Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, 1873-1897, Manuscript A, Chapter I)
Become like little infants interiorly ... at the deepest level, give up trying to generate our own meaning and to be lords and masters of our own lives, and instead begin living by faith in what God can do for us ... Christiam life means to continue always being created by God. No one can be a Christian without learning how to become totally dependent on God as Father, in union with Jesus as our brother and Mary as our mother.
(Erasmo Leina-Merikakis, The Way of the Disciple, quoted in Magnificat, October 29, 2026, pp. 401-402)
Put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.
(Ephesians 4:24)
As we become united with Jesus, it becomes easier to perceive how He is guiding us. God has given each of us particular gifts and with those gifts He entrusts us with a role and duty within the Body of Christ.
(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Respect Life Novena, 2026, Day Nine)
Let us realize that the lights shining in our soul (faith), and the love wherewith we love (charity), and the desire sustaining us (hope) are all free gifts from God ... If we are humble, we can understand all the marvel of our divine vocation.
(Saint Josemaria Escriva, d 1975, Christ is Passing By, quoted in Magnificat, October 28, 2026, p. 391)
If you are feeling unworthy, please don't. No aim is too high as boldly declared by The Little Flower. Go, Therese, go!
I feel the vocation of the WARRIOR, THE PRIEST, THE APOSTLE, THE DOCTOR, THE MARTYR. Finally, I feel the need and the desire of carrying out the most heroic deeds for You, O Jesus. I feel within my soul the courage of the Crusader, the Papal Guard, and I would want to die on the field of battle in defense of the Church.
Saint Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, 1873-1897, Manuscript B, Chapter IX)
ALL SAINTS,
ALL HOLY SOULS,
SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES,
SAINT WINDEFRIDE,
SAINT MALACHY,
BLESSED JOHN BODY,
BLESSED RUPERT MAYER,
SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO, BISHOP,
BLESSED FRANCIS D'AMBOISE,
ALL THE SAINTS OF IRELAND,
ALL SAINTS OF AFRICA,
SAINT ILLTUD OR ILLTYD,
SAINT NUNO ALVARES PEREIRA,
SAINT WILLIBRORD,
BLESSED FRANCIS PALAU Y QUER,
ALL SAINTS OF WALES,
BLESSED GEORGE NAPIER,
SAINT ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY,
SAINT JOHN THE APOSTLE,
POPE SAINT LEO THE GREAT, DOCTOR,
SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP,
SAINT JOSAPHAT, BISHOP, MARTYR,
SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI,
SAINT DYFRIG OR DUBRIC OF DUBRISIOUS,
SAINT LAURENCE O'TOOLE,
THE BEATIFIED MARTRYS OF THE CLIFTON DIOCESE,
THE READING MARTYRS,
SAINT JOSEPH PIGNATELLI,
ALL CARMELITE SAINTS,
SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT,
SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA, VIRGIN,
SAINT MARGARET OF SCOTLAND,
SAINT EDMUND OF ABINGDON,
OUR LADY OF THE GATE OF DAWN,
ALL CARMELITE SOULS,
SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY,
SAINT HILDA,
SAINT HUGH OF LINCOLN,
SAINT DIONYSIUS OF ALEXANDRIA, BISHOP,
SAINTS PETER AND PAUL,
SAINT ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHNESNE,
SAINT ROGUE GONZALEZ AND HIS COMPANIONS,
SAINT RAPHAEL KALINOWSKI,
SAINT EDMUND,
SAINT CECILIA,
POPE SAINT CLEMENT I, MARTYR,
SAINT COLUMBANUS, ABBOT, MISSIONARY,
BLESSED MIGUEL AGUSTIN PRO,
SAINTS ANDREW DUNG-LAC AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,
SAINT CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGIN, MARTYR,
BLESSED NIELS STENSEN,
SAINT COLMAN OF CLOYNE,
SAINT LEONARD OF PORTO MAURIZIO,
SAINT JOHN BERCHMANS,
SAINT FERGAL,
BLESSED BERNARD FRANCIS DE HOYOS,
BLESSEDS DENIS AND REDEMPTUS,
SAINT ANDREW, APOSTLE,
SAINT CUTHBERT MAYNE,
PRAY FOR US.
© Gertrude Feick 2026
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