Which Saint Will You Sing With?

I often wonder what the voices of the Saints sounded like.

What did Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s voice sound like when he stepped forward in Auschwitz and said he would take Franciszek Gajowniczek’s place?

What did Saint Gianna Beretta Molla’s voice sound like when she told her husband she was certain she was in labor with their first child?

What did Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross’ voice sound like when she gave her brilliant symposia on the necessity of the feminine genius in education?

What did Saint José Sánchez del Río's voice sound like when he cried out "¡Viva Cristo Rey!" as he was being martyred for his faith?

What did Saint Josephine Bakhita’s voice sound like as she made her final vows to the Canossian Sisters in peace after a life of slavery and torture?

Thinking about their voices makes me pause to think of their humanity. Have you considered the sounds of their voices, the expressions on their faces, the desires of their hearts? They were not superhuman; they were people just like you and me who poured out radical love throughout their radically holy lives.

On the feast of All Saints, I wonder what their voices sound like today. These Saints and countless others have joined their voices together in the most beautiful song ever heard, worshipping at the throne of the King of Kings, singing “Holy, holy, holy” for all eternity. It is a sound I hope to hear one day, and the Saints have given us a roadmap to do just that. They have given us a roadmap to Heaven.

They have shown us what it means to be frail human sinners of every age, race, nationality, vocation, and state of life who laid down their lives for the cause of Christ. Today, let us praise God together for the profound "yes" of every one of the Saints, and let us recommit to living radically holy lives worthy of entrance through the narrow gate to sing with them forever.

Which Saint would you love to sing with in Heaven?

They have given us a roadmap to Heaven. // @emwilssClick to tweet

listen to today’s devotion