Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas: The Solemnity of All Saints and the Pursuit of Holiness

By Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas, Catholic World Report, Nov. 1, 2025

Reverend Peter M.J. Stravinskas founded The Catholic Answer in 1987 and The Catholic Response in 2004, as well as the Priestly Society of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, a clerical association of the faithful, committed to Catholic education, liturgical renewal and the new evangelization. Father Stravinskas is also the President of the Catholic Education Foundation, an organization, which serves as a resource for heightening the Catholic identity of Catholic schools.

(Editor’s note: This homily was preached for the Solemnity of All Saints at the Church of the Holy Innocents in New York City in 2018, and was originally posted on November 1, 2018.)

How does one get to Heaven? By being a saint on earth. And how does one become a saint? By living a life of holiness. And in what does holiness consist? Here are seven elements.

Several years ago I was having a mild altercation with one of my high school students. He ended his presentation with this thought: “The reason I hate Catholic school is that you priests and nuns want us all to be saints!” To his surprise, I agreed that that was most definitely our goal. I think Jeff’s problem was a lack of understanding about what a saint is.

Indeed, the hope and prayer of the Church is that every one of her members would reach the joy of Heaven. How? By heeding the message preached by John the Baptist and the Lord Himself: “Reform your lives. The reign of God is at hand.” “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Why? Because life is short, and eternity is long. ….

Continue reading >>>>>>>>>>>>>