Feast of All Saints: Holiness close to home

Father Michael A. de Leon, AM, noted that the Feast of All Saints honors both canonized figures and the ordinary holy people in daily life. While the liturgical calendar includes figures such as Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Father de Leon said the feast also recognizes those who may never be canonized but reflected God's mercy.

He described these individuals as people who lived the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew by choosing kindness, forgiveness, and faithfulness through suffering. Father de Leon stated that these people demonstrate holiness through their way of living and loving rather than through extraordinary achievements or miracles.