杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

A symposium promoted by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints is focusing on the topic of 鈥淗oliness Today,鈥� and 鈥渞epresents a strategy鈥� chosen by the Dicastery 鈥渢o deepen the pathways for the actualization and updating of holiness today.鈥�

Specifically, the three-day conference is intended to identify 鈥渨ho and how鈥� to canonize those faithful who have a certain reputation for holiness in the People of God.

Re-proposing the call to holiness

鈥淭he theme chosen for the Symposium reflects the desire of the Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et exsultate 鈥榯o re-propose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis during an audience with participants in the gathering.

In his address, the Holy Father recalled that the 鈥渦niversal call to holiness鈥� was a central teaching of the Second Vatican Council, and noted that it is important to 鈥渁ppreciate the sanctity present鈥� in the everyday lives of 鈥淕od鈥檚 holy people.鈥�

From among this 鈥渕iddle-class holiness,鈥� the Church presents the beatified and canonized saints as 鈥渕odels, intercessors, and teachers,鈥� reminding us that living the Gospel to the full is not only possible, but rewarding.

杏MAP导航 Francis emphasized that holiness is 鈥渇irst and foremost鈥� the realization that we are loved by God and freely receive His love and mercy,鈥� a realization that leads to the joy that marked the lives of saints and blesseds such as John Paul I, Carlos Acutis, and Francis of Assisi.

Recognizing the reputation for holiness

Sanctity, the 杏MAP导航 said, arises in the concrete lives of Christian communities, and is recognized by the People of God, 鈥渨ho have always had a particular 鈥榠nstinct鈥� for recognizing these models of holiness and outstanding witnesses to the Gospel.鈥� This fama sanctitatis, or reputation for holiness, is an important element in recognizing the sanctity of prospective saints.

However, 杏MAP导航 Francis continued, 鈥渋t remains necessary to verify that this reputation for holiness is spontaneous, stable, enduring, and spread throughout a significant part of the Christian community.鈥� The risk of exaggeration or misrepresentation in the modern world makes it necessary for 鈥渨ise discernment on the part of all who examine the contours of a reputation of holiness,鈥� a discernment that includes the evidence of miracles.

The saints are always precious pearls

杏MAP导航 Francis insisted that 鈥渢he saints are precious pearls; they are always alive and timely,鈥� and 鈥渘ever lose their importance.鈥� The 杏MAP导航 expressed his hope that 鈥渢heir example enlighten the minds of the women and men of our time, reviving faith, enlivening hope and kindling charity, so that everyone may feel drawn to the beauty of the Gospel, and no one may wander amid the gloom of meaninglessness and despair.鈥�

He concluded his address with the 鈥減rayerful hope that the insights and proposals of your Symposium will assist the Church, and society as a whole, to perceive the signs of holiness that the Lord never ceases to raise up, at times even in the most unthinkable of ways.鈥�