All are called to holiness, Pope Francis emphasizes
November 19, 2014
Describing holiness as “the most beautiful face of the Church,” Pope Francis devoted his November 19 general audience to the universal call to holiness.
“First, we must bear in mind that holiness is not something that we can procure for ourselves or obtain with our quality and our skills,” he said. “Holiness is given to us by the Lord Jesus, when He takes us up with Him and clothes us in Himself, making us like Him.”
Emphasizing that “holiness is not just for bishops, priests, or religious,” the Pope said that “it is by living with love and offering Christian witness in our daily tasks that we are called to become saints-- and everyone in the particular condition and state of life in which they find themselves.”
Pope Francis listed many little steps to holiness, including Sunday Mass, Holy Communion, the Rosary, other prayers, choosing not to gossip, loving one’s spouse, listening to one’s children, and assisting the poor.
“Small things are small steps toward holiness,” he said. “And every step towards holiness will make us better people, free from selfishness and being closed in on ourselves, and open us up to our brothers and sisters and their needs.”
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