“I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne, and in sight of the Lamb.”
The Church places some saints before us for our consideration and devotion on every day of the year, that we may give them particular honor and learn to imitate their excelling virtues. But today, on the Feast of All Saints, Holy Church represents them all to us.
The heavenly thrones left vacant by the fallen angels, who proved themselves unworthy to be guests at the Son of God’s eternal wedding feast, are daily being filled by the souls of the faithful as they pass from this earthly life – in most cases through a time of purgation – to eternal life. This is the true “clock” of the universe, for when the last throne is filled, time shall be no more. The Church marks each year on this feast the progress that She has made toward this stupendous goal, the purpose of the entire physical – and spiritual – creation.
We should honor God in His saints, says St. Vincent de Paul, and beseech Him to make us partakers of the graces He poured so abundantly upon them. May the prayers of all the Saints – known and unknown, whether having reached their blessed end by the path of innocence or by the path of penance – preserve us on our way to join them in glory!