Paul KeenanDear Editor, I write in response to Syl Doyne’s letter (IC 8/5/14 edition) where questions were posed concerning sainthood.
Firstly, there have actually been a large number of lay people canonised or currently en route to being canonised e.g. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, St Gianna Molla (wife, mother and medical doctor), and Blessed Chiara Badano, all from the 20th Century.
Nonetheless, I think it is important not to become too focused on whether a canonised saint was a religious or not: what’s more important is that they became holy through cooperating fully with God a feat which is possible for both lay and religious alike. Officially canonising people gives us concrete examples of exemplary Christian lives, and reminds us of the universal call to holiness.
Secondly, while it is true that everyone in Heaven is a saint, not everyone became saints during their earthly lives but needed time in Purgatory to prepare for entry. Moreover, it would only be fair that those who became saints on Earth would be accorded greater honour in Heaven; like St Paul, they ‘fought’ for holiness despite manifold obstacles (2 Tim 4:7).
Rather than dwelling on how we may be ranked in Heaven, however, I believe it is more helpful to focus on cooperating fully with God in the here and now, and becoming the fulfilment of God’s vision for us; or, in the words of Matthew Kelly (Catholic speaker and author), “becoming the best version of ourselves”.
Finally, declaring someone a saint does not imply that a person did everything perfectly, but that their holiness and ability to love became perfect. St John-Paul II lived a life of heroic virtue, sacrifice, and love: that should be the focus, not tasks that he may or may not have undertaken perfectly.
Yours etc.,
Róisín O’Rourke,
Leitrim Village,
Co. Leitrim.