November 18, 2025 • 28 mins
We trace the universal call to holiness from Scripture and the Catechism into daily life, showing how grace, sacraments, prayer, virtue, and the Beatitudes shape a realistic path to sainthood. Stories of saints and clear practices turn a high ideal into steps anyone can take today.
• baptism as identity and mission
• holiness as practical and universal
• Scripture and Vatican II on sanctity
• grace through the sacraments as fuel
• prayer rhythms that anchor the day
• Eucharist as source of transformation
• lessons from Thérèse, Francis, Gianna, José
• seven virtues as a growth framework
• Beatitudes applied to modern life
• love of God and neighbor as the heart of sainthood
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:11):
Hello family, welcome to Journeys of Faith
Super Saints Podcast at BrotherJoseph Fry Aldenhoven here at
your service.
Be sure to look at thedescription for special
information of interest to you,and also there's more to this
blog article.
Embracing the universal call toholiness, the first steps
towards sainthood.
(00:32):
In every age, the eternalinvitation resounds.
We are called to be saints.
This truth at the very core ofCatholic tradition is more than
a lofty aspiration reserved forthe few.
It beckons each of us,regardless of our station in
life or the complexities weface, into a journey shaped by
(00:55):
grace, fidelity, andtransformation.
The saints, those radiant flameswho walk before us from silent
monastics to resolute mothersand courageous martyrs, knew
that holiness is not a prize forthe perfect, but a pathway for
the willing.
At journeys of faith, ourmission springs from this same
wellspring of hope, born fromthe life-changing experience of
(01:17):
Eucharistic miracles andnurtured through decades of
pilgrimage and teaching, we aimto embolden every soul toward
their own path of sanctity.
The call to holiness is notabstract or unreachable, it is
intimate, practical, and realfor all who open their hearts.
As we trace the first stepstoward sainthood, let us recall
(01:39):
that each encounter with Christ,whether in the silence of
prayer, the beauty of the holymass, or the humble acts of
charity, draws us closer to ourdestiny to be saints, one heart,
one mind, one spirit, with onevision.
Let our journey begin.
Why every baptized Christian iscalled to be a saint?
(02:03):
From the moment water anointsour foreheads and the words of
baptism ring out, I baptize youin the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
We are marked with a profoundidentity and mission.
The universal call to holinessis not reserved for a chosen few
or for those whose names fillstained glass windows.
(02:24):
It is the inheritance anddestiny of every Christian soul.
Scripture and sacred traditionremind us, for this is the will
of God, your sanctification.
The saints, those radiantwitnesses of Christ through the
centuries, show us that holinessis not a rare gift, but the very
(02:45):
purpose for which we werecreated.
Through baptism, we are adoptedas sons and daughters of God and
set on the path to become livingreflections of Christ in the
world.
The catechism of the CatholicChurch affirms this truth
boldly.
All the faithful of Christ ofwhatever rank or status are
called to the fullness of theChristian life and to the
(03:07):
perfection of charity.
CCC 2013.
This means that the call to be asaint is not about performing
extraordinary miracles orwithdrawing from the world.
It is about letting the grace ofGod transform our ordinary daily
lives into expressions of divinelove.
To respond to this call we neednot look far.
(03:28):
The pathway to holiness beginswherever we are, in our homes,
our work, and our relationships,each act of sacrificial love,
every moment of prayer, andevery time we choose virtue over
vice.
We are answering Christ'sinvitation to draw closer to his
sacred heart.
We are called to be saints, notin spite of our weakness, but
(03:51):
precisely through ourwillingness to let God's
strength shine in and throughour humanity.
Take your first step towardsainthood with journeys of
faith.
Path to sainthood is open toevery Catholic.
The call is universal, theinvitation unceasing.
At journeys of faith, webelieve, in the words of our
(04:13):
founders, that we are called tobe saints.
Whether you are just beginningyour spiritual journey or
deepening a lifelong commitmentto holiness, you are not alone.
Our mission is to support,guide, and walk beside you every
step of the way.
Ready to embrace your call?
Here's how we can help youembark on this sacred journey.
(04:34):
Explore journeys of FaithCatholic Saints shop.
Explore virtual pilgrimages.
Join us online as we travel tosacred Catholic sites, from
Eucharistic miracle shrines toMary and Apparition locations.
Discover lives of the saints.
Draw inspiration and practicalwisdom from our in-depth
(04:57):
resources, videos, and books onthe holy men and women who
answered God's call.
Nourish your faith at home.
Access spiritual tools,devotions, and beautiful
Catholic gifts that transformyour home into a place of prayer
and grace.
Connect with our community.
Be part of the legacy built byBob and Penny Lord.
Unite with fellow pilgrimsaround the world, sharing one
(05:20):
heart, one mind, one spirit.
Begin your journey to holinesstoday.
Visit journeys of faith and takeyour first inspired step.
Sainthood isn't a distant goal.
It's your invitation here andnow.
Defining holiness in theCatholic tradition.
To truly embrace the universalcall to holiness, we must first
(05:42):
understand what holiness meansin the heart of Catholic
tradition.
Holiness is not an abstract orunattainable ideal reserved only
for mystics or canonized saints.
Rather, it is the invitationextended to every Christian, an
invitation rooted in Scriptureand echoed by Christ Himself.
Be holy, for I am holy, 1 Peter1 16.
(06:06):
In the Catholic sense, holinessis a full hearted response to
God's love by conforming ourlives to His will.
It is lived out not just inextraordinary acts but through
fidelity in daily life, choosingvirtue over vice, love over
indifference, and charity overselfishness.
The Church teaches that all arecalled to sanctity regardless of
(06:30):
their vocation or circumstance,whether in the quiet of family
life, the challenges of theworkplace, or the solitude of
prayer, each moment carries thepotential for grace.
The saints provide luminousexamples of this call.
They show that sanctity looksdifferent in each life, yet
always reflects a steadfastcommitment to prayer,
(06:54):
sacramental life, and service ofneighbor holiness, then isn't
about perfectionism orwithdrawal from the world, but
about allowing Christ totransform us in the midst of our
ordinary days.
This transformation is anongoing journey, a daily yes to
God.
It requires attention to thepromptings of the Holy Spirit, a
(07:16):
deep love for the Eucharist,frequent confession, and a
devotion to the Blessed VirginMary and the saints.
Through these means, Catholicsdiscover that true holiness is
possible, attainable, and indeedexactly what we are called to,
we are called to be saints.
Tracing the call, scripture, andmagisterial teaching.
(07:39):
The journey toward sainthoodbegins with a call, one that
reverberates through the ages,intimately personal yet
universally proclaimed.
The heart of this vocation liesin God's invitation to all.
Leviticus 1144.
This scriptural command is notreserved for a select few, but
(08:02):
extends to every baptizedChristian, echoing in both the
Old and New Testaments.
Saint Paul, writing to the earlyChristian communities,
underscores this universalsummons to all the beloved of
God in Rome called to be saintsat Romans 1 7.
This is not mere encouragement,but a declaration of identity.
We are called to be saintsbecause sainthood is the
(08:24):
fulfillment of our purpose,union with God, and witness to
his love in the world.
The magisterium, guided by theHoly Spirit, has consistently
affirmed this teaching.
The Second Vatican Council'sseminal document lumentium, the
dogmatic constitution on thechurch, boldly asserts all in
(08:45):
the church are called toholiness.
Far from being an abstractideal, holiness is portrayed as
practical and achievable, woveninto the fabric of daily
Christian living, whetherpriest, religious, or lay
person, the church teaches thatevery state of life offers a
(09:08):
path toward sanctity, each dayfilled with opportunities to
respond generously to God'sgrace.
Placing these teachings side byside, we see a radiant symmetry,
sacred scripture proclaims thecall, and the magisterium
illuminates the path.
To pursue holiness is not tofollow a solitary trail, but to
(09:29):
walk alongside the saints whohave answered this call before
us, guided by the wisdom andauthority entrusted to the
church.
Grace sacraments in the journeytoward perfection.
The universal call to holinessis a profound invitation, one
that reaches to the very core ofwhat it means to be a follower
(09:51):
of Christ.
At the heart of this call liesgrace, which the church teaches
is God's own life within us, agratuitous gift that enables us
to seek Him and strive forsanctity.
It is grace poured out throughthe sacraments that provides the
spiritual nourishment needed onour journey toward perfection.
(10:13):
The sacraments are not mererituals or symbolic gestures,
they are real encounters withChrist.
Each sacrament from baptism tothe Eucharist, confession to
confirmation is a channelthrough which divine life flows
into the souls of the faithful.
In the Holy Eucharist, thesource and summit of the
(10:35):
Christian life, we receive thevery body and blood of the Lord,
drawing us deeper into Hismystery and empowering us to
reflect His love to the worldreconciliation, meanwhile,
grants us the mercy we need toleave behind sin and to be
restored as God's belovedchildren.
(10:56):
Holiness does not meanperfection from the outset, but
rather a willingness tocooperate with grace day by day.
The saints walk this path not asflawless beings, but as men and
women who allowed God's mercyand grace to transform their
weaknesses into strengths.
We are called to be saints tooby remaining faithful to daily
(11:19):
prayer, participating frequentlyin the sacraments, and trusting
that God can accomplish greatthings through our yes no matter
how small it may seem.
This journey toward sainthood isoften marked by trials and
moments of uncertainty, butthrough it all, the sacraments
are stable anchor points,reminders of the unceasing love
(11:40):
of the Father and thecompanionship of the whole
church by saying yes to grace,we take our first steps toward
holiness, comforted by theknowledge that God Himself is
walking beside us, cultivatingdaily prayer as the oxygen of
the soul.
To answer the call to holinessand step onto the path of
(12:02):
sainthood, we must turn our gazeto the interior life, the place
where our souls encounter Godmost intimately.
Prayer is not a mere habit orobligation, it is the oxygen of
the soul, sustaining ourspiritual vitality and drawing
us deeper into union with theLord.
Like the saints before us, weare called to seek God daily, to
(12:25):
listen to His voice, and topresent Him with the joys,
sorrows, and needs of ourhearts.
Carving out moments of prayereach day, whether a quiet
morning offering, the steadyrhythm of the rosary, or brief
conversations with Jesusthroughout our duties transforms
the ordinary into theextraordinary.
The catechism reminds us thatprayer is the raising of one's
(12:50):
mind and heart to God.
CCC 2559.
This elevates our every action,reminding us that ultimately we
are called to be saints not byour own strength, but by God
working within us.
Beginning with even the simplestprayer such as Come, Holy
Spirit, we invite God topermeate our day.
(13:13):
As Saint Teresa of Avilateaches, prayer is nothing else
than a close sharing betweenfriends.
With each moment steeped inprayer, our hearts become ever
more disposed to grace, ourvision sharpened to see God's
presence, and our desire forholiness grows.
By making prayer the steadypulse of each day, we imitate
the saints and open ourselvesfully to the transforming love
(13:36):
of God.
In this daily encounter we findour purpose affirmed, to live
and become saints step byfaithful step.
The role of the Eucharist insanctifying our lives.
The Church has always taughtthat the Eucharist is not simply
a symbolic meal or a memorial,rather, it is the very body,
(13:57):
blood, soul, and divinity of ourLord Jesus Christ.
Each time we approach the altarto receive the blessed
sacrament, we encounter ChristHimself in an intimate and
life-changing way.
This communion with Christ isboth a profound gift and a
powerful call.
We are called to be saints.
Participating in the Holy Massand receiving the Eucharist
(14:20):
provides us with thesupernatural strength necessary
to strive for holiness.
The saints throughout history,Saint Therese of Lysieux, Saint
John Paul II, Saint Padre Pio,drew their inspiration and
perseverance from frequentreception of Holy Communion.
Their lives vividly testify tothe truth that it is Christ in
(14:42):
the Eucharist who sanctifies andtransforms hearts.
The catechism of the CatholicChurch proclaims the Eucharist
builds the church in CCC 1396.
This building up is not merelycollective but deeply personal.
Through the grace of theEucharist, our lives are
gradually conformed to Christ.
(15:02):
Our ordinary actions begin toreflect his love, patience, and
mercy.
The more we receive him withfaith and devotion, the more he
heals our wounds, purifies ourdesires, and strengthens our
resolve to live as truedisciples.
Daily or frequent participationin mass is not just a pious
habit, it is an essential stepfor anyone serious about
(15:26):
responding to God's universalcall to holiness.
In adoration before the BlessedSacrament, we are drawn ever
closer to the sacred heart, andwe begin to see ourselves and
our vocation to sanctity throughthe loving eyes of Christ.
The road to sainthood is nottraveled alone.
United in the Eucharist, we aremystically joined with the whole
(15:47):
church, the angels, the saints,and all those who seek to follow
the Lord faithfully through theEucharist.
Heaven touches earth andempowers us to echo with our
lives the truth of the truththat we are called to be saints.
Learning from the saints,ordinary people, extraordinary
(16:07):
grace.
When we think of saints, it'stempting to imagine distant
figures almost impossibly holyset apart by miracles or
visions, but the truth revealedthrough centuries of Catholic
tradition is both humbling andexhilarating.
Saints were ordinary men andwomen who responded to God's
call with extraordinary love,their stories woven into the
(16:30):
Church's memory, remind us thatwe are called to be saints not
by our power but by cooperatingwith God's grace.
Consider Saint Therese ofLysieux, whose little way
transformed the simplest tasksinto acts of heroic virtue.
Therese did not travel to faroff mission lands or perform
dramatic wonders.
Instead, she sanctified dailylife, offering her struggles and
(16:54):
joys for love of Christ.
In her autobiography, she sharesthe secret that holiness is not
only for the few, but for allwho surrender to God's will, no
matter how small their sphere.
Saint Francis of Assisi'sradical embrace of poverty shook
the world not because he soughtfame or legend, but because he
recognized Christ in the poorand lived with contagious joy.
(17:17):
His journey started with achoice to set aside riches and
pursue the gospel withoutcompromise.
Like Francis, we too canrecognize moments, big or small,
where God calls us to let go andtrust in him completely.
Across continents and centuries,saints have arisen from every
(17:38):
background, doctors, mothers,soldiers, teachers, laborers,
Saint Gianna Baretta Mola, aphysician and mother, chose life
for her child at the cost of herown Saint Jose Sanchez Del Rio,
a teenager witnessed to thefaith with unwavering courage
during persecution in Mexico.
(17:59):
These examples place thechallenge and promise before us.
No matter our age, vocation, orcircumstance, holiness is within
reach.
The saints are not remote icons,but companions, living reminders
that faithfulness in ordinarylife opens the door to
extraordinary grace.
When we read their lives,meditate on their words, and
(18:21):
lean on their intercession, wediscover a path that leads us
too, toward that universal callto holiness.
Their stories light the way,ever reminding us that we are
called to be saints right whereGod has planted us.
Seven virtues that shape thepath to holiness.
(18:41):
To walk the path of holiness isto respond wholeheartedly to the
call we are called to be saints.
The saints who have gone beforeus blaze the trail marked by
virtues, habits of heart andwill that conform us more
perfectly to Christ.
The Church's wisdom gives us theclassical seven virtues, the
four cardinal virtues, and thethree theological virtues.
(19:03):
Together they form thefoundation for growth and
sanctity.
One, prudence.
Prudence is the virtue thatguides our actions by right
reason.
It empowers us to discern thegood and choose the correct
means to attain it, especiallywhen the way is unclear.
The saints never actedrecklessly but made prayerful,
thoughtful decisions rooted inGod's will.
(19:23):
Two, justice justice compels usto give to God and to others
what is rightfully theirs.
It moves us beyond selfishnessinto genuine charity, defending
the dignity of all in theirministries.
The saints showed unwaveringresolve to defend the poor, the
outcast, and the vulnerable.
(19:45):
three fortitude.
Fortitude gives us the courageto persevere in doing good even
in the face of suffering, trial,or ridicule.
The martyrs bore terriblehardships, sustained by
fortitude, proclaiming the truthwith unwavering faith.
Four, temperance.
Temperance helps us moderate ourdesires and use the gifts of
this world rightly.
(20:06):
The lives of the saints aremarked by self-mastery, fasting,
and self-denial, always inpursuit of a greater love.
Five, faith.
Faith is our radical trust inGod's promises.
It anchors us in mystery andlets us walk by the light of
Christ even in the darkness.
The saints teach us to rely onGod even when we do not fully
understand His ways.
(20:27):
6.
Hope Hope lifts our hearts tolong for eternal life and the
grace to reach it.
It empowers us to look beyondthe present moment, trusting
that God is leading us home.
When discouragement pressed in,the saints look to heaven.
7.
Charity Love.
Charity is the highest virtue,the bond of perfection.
(20:48):
It enables us to love God aboveall things in our neighbor as
ourselves.
Every saint's story is atestament to the power of love,
love for God shown in prayer andsacrifice, love for neighbor
made present in service andcompassion.
Embracing these virtuesstrengthened by God's grace and
the example of the saints, webegin to live out the truth that
(21:10):
we are called to be saints.
These virtues furnish our dailypilgrimage, shaping the heart
and soul on the journey towardholiness.
Living the Beatitudes in modernsociety.
Christ's Sermon on the Mountstands as a timeless invitation,
calling every Christian heart toembrace the Beatitudes as a
(21:30):
blueprint for holiness.
These sacred teachings, thoughdelivered over two millennia
ago, remain startlingly relevantfor those striving to answer the
call.
We are called to be saints evenamid the complexities of modern
life.
To be poor in spirit today meanscultivating humility in an era
(21:55):
of self-promotion andachievement.
It is recognizing that our trueriches lie not in material
wealth or success, but in ourdependence on God's grace.
In a world often marked byself-reliance and pride,
surrendering to this divinepoverty is a radical witness of
faith.
The call to mourn finds meaningnot only in personal sorrow, but
(22:18):
in a compassionate response tothe suffering of others.
The beatitudes invite us to weepwith those who mourn, to be
present to the brokenhearted andto bear one another's burdens as
a living sign of Christ's mercy.
Meekness is countercultural.
In a society that prizesassertiveness and victory, the
gentle and patient who refuse toretaliate or seek revenge
(22:40):
demonstrate the quiet strengthof the Lord.
It is through this very meeknessthat one inherits the earth, not
through domination but throughcharity.
Hungering and thirsting forrighteousness demands active
engagement with justice andtruth.
It means striving day after dayto live with integrity, defend
the vulnerable, and shape ourfamilies, workplaces, and
(23:04):
communities according to thegospel.
The merciful extend forgivenesswhere the world might advise
resentment.
They choose to heal rather thanto hurt, embodying Christ's own
words.
Blessed are the merciful, forthey shall obtain mercy.
Purity of heart becomes thecompass that steers every
thought, action, and intentiontoward God, undiluted by
(23:26):
distractions or lesser loves ina culture of countless
temptations, the pure of heartseek the face of Christ above
all else.
Finally, peacemakers areurgently needed in homes,
neighborhoods, and nationsdivided by strife and
misunderstanding, those whofoster reconciliation, who speak
(23:47):
truth with love, who reach outacross boundaries, these are
counted among the children ofGod.
Each beatitude is a steppingstone along the path toward
sainthood, rooted in prayer,lived in community and
actualized through concrete actsof faith.
They challenge and inspire us toreflect Christ's holiness in
every aspect of our dailyexistence.
(24:08):
Love of God and neighbor, theheart of sainthood.
To walk the path of sainthood isabove all to answer the twofold
commandment on which hang allthe law and the prophets,
Matthew 22 40, to love God withall our heart, soul, and mind,
and to love our neighborsourselves.
This is not merely a suggestionor a lofty ideal reserved for a
(24:32):
few exceptional souls.
Rather, it is the universal callat the root of our Christian
identity, a call echoing throughthe ages, beckoning each of us
to holiness.
The saints teach us that love ofGod cannot be separated from
love of neighbor.
Their lives reveal a profoundunion with Christ that overflows
(24:52):
into a radical charity for thosearound them, whether caring for
the sick, defending themarginalized, or quietly
forgiving daily offenses, theyunderstood that to encounter
Christ in prayer compels us toserve Him and others.
(25:12):
This double flame of love fixedon heaven but active on earth
blossoms in the humble, faithfulrhythms of daily life.
Holiness is not about performinggrand miracles or achieving
public acclaim.
It starts in small acts offorgiveness, a patient word to a
weary soul, silent time beforethe blessed sacrament, and
steadfast fidelity to God'scommandments.
(25:35):
In choosing love even when it isdifficult, we gradually become
more like Christ, the true modeland friend of every saint.
In embracing this universalvocation, we discover what the
gospel means when it says we arecalled to be saints.
Sainthood is not distant norunattainable, it takes root in
hearts receptive to God's loveand willing to pour it out for
(25:59):
others every choice to love is astep deeper into the heart of
Christ and thus into the heartof what it means to become holy.
Conclusion The first stepstoward sainthood begin now.
As we reflect on the universalcall to holiness, we remember
(26:21):
that the journey towardsainthood is not reserved for
the few, but is the vocation ofevery baptized soul.
The saints themselves began withhumble steps of faith,
responding daily to the Lord'sinvitation to seek him above all
else.
At journeys of faith we holdfirm to the truth that we are
(26:42):
called to be saints, not by ourmerits, but by God's
unfathomable grace workingthrough the ordinary and
extraordinary moments of ourlives, inspired by the enduring
witness of Bob and Penny Lordand the lives of countless holy
men and women, let us answerthis call wholeheartedly,
nourished by the sacraments,guided by Scripture, enriched by
(27:04):
prayer, and supported by thecommunion of the church.
No matter your stage in life orspiritual experience, the road
toward holiness unfolds step bystep, sustained by a
faithfulness that echoes throughthe centuries.
We invite you to continue thispilgrimage with us, learning
from the saints, encounteringmiracles, both seen and hidden,
(27:26):
and drawing ever closer toChrist together.
May we live out our mission.
One heart, one mind, one spiritwith one vision, ever striving
toward the holiness that Goddesires for each of us.
Thank you, family, for listeningto Super Saints Podcast.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for special news
(27:46):
item.
And since there is more to thisarticle, finish reading and
check out the special offer.
Visit JourneysofFaith.comwebsite today.
Hello family, welcome to Journeys of Faith
Super Saints Podcast at BrotherJoseph Fry Aldenhoven here at
your service.
Be sure to look at thedescription for special
information of interest to you,and also there's more to this
blog article.
Embracing the universal call toholiness, the first steps
towards sainthood.
(00:32):
In every age, the eternalinvitation resounds.
We are called to be saints.
This truth at the very core ofCatholic tradition is more than
a lofty aspiration reserved forthe few.
It beckons each of us,regardless of our station in
life or the complexities weface, into a journey shaped by
(00:55):
grace, fidelity, andtransformation.
The saints, those radiant flameswho walk before us from silent
monastics to resolute mothersand courageous martyrs, knew
that holiness is not a prize forthe perfect, but a pathway for
the willing.
At journeys of faith, ourmission springs from this same
wellspring of hope, born fromthe life-changing experience of
(01:17):
Eucharistic miracles andnurtured through decades of
pilgrimage and teaching, we aimto embolden every soul toward
their own path of sanctity.
The call to holiness is notabstract or unreachable, it is
intimate, practical, and realfor all who open their hearts.
As we trace the first stepstoward sainthood, let us recall
(01:39):
that each encounter with Christ,whether in the silence of
prayer, the beauty of the holymass, or the humble acts of
charity, draws us closer to ourdestiny to be saints, one heart,
one mind, one spirit, with onevision.
Let our journey begin.
Why every baptized Christian iscalled to be a saint?
(02:03):
From the moment water anointsour foreheads and the words of
baptism ring out, I baptize youin the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
We are marked with a profoundidentity and mission.
The universal call to holinessis not reserved for a chosen few
or for those whose names fillstained glass windows.
(02:24):
It is the inheritance anddestiny of every Christian soul.
Scripture and sacred traditionremind us, for this is the will
of God, your sanctification.
The saints, those radiantwitnesses of Christ through the
centuries, show us that holinessis not a rare gift, but the very
(02:45):
purpose for which we werecreated.
Through baptism, we are adoptedas sons and daughters of God and
set on the path to become livingreflections of Christ in the
world.
The catechism of the CatholicChurch affirms this truth
boldly.
All the faithful of Christ ofwhatever rank or status are
called to the fullness of theChristian life and to the
(03:07):
perfection of charity.
CCC 2013.
This means that the call to be asaint is not about performing
extraordinary miracles orwithdrawing from the world.
It is about letting the grace ofGod transform our ordinary daily
lives into expressions of divinelove.
To respond to this call we neednot look far.
(03:28):
The pathway to holiness beginswherever we are, in our homes,
our work, and our relationships,each act of sacrificial love,
every moment of prayer, andevery time we choose virtue over
vice.
We are answering Christ'sinvitation to draw closer to his
sacred heart.
We are called to be saints, notin spite of our weakness, but
(03:51):
precisely through ourwillingness to let God's
strength shine in and throughour humanity.
Take your first step towardsainthood with journeys of
faith.
Path to sainthood is open toevery Catholic.
The call is universal, theinvitation unceasing.
At journeys of faith, webelieve, in the words of our
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founders, that we are called tobe saints.
Whether you are just beginningyour spiritual journey or
deepening a lifelong commitmentto holiness, you are not alone.
Our mission is to support,guide, and walk beside you every
step of the way.
Ready to embrace your call?
Here's how we can help youembark on this sacred journey.
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Explore journeys of FaithCatholic Saints shop.
Explore virtual pilgrimages.
Join us online as we travel tosacred Catholic sites, from
Eucharistic miracle shrines toMary and Apparition locations.
Discover lives of the saints.
Draw inspiration and practicalwisdom from our in-depth
(04:57):
resources, videos, and books onthe holy men and women who
answered God's call.
Nourish your faith at home.
Access spiritual tools,devotions, and beautiful
Catholic gifts that transformyour home into a place of prayer
and grace.
Connect with our community.
Be part of the legacy built byBob and Penny Lord.
Unite with fellow pilgrimsaround the world, sharing one
(05:20):
heart, one mind, one spirit.
Begin your journey to holinesstoday.
Visit journeys of faith and takeyour first inspired step.
Sainthood isn't a distant goal.
It's your invitation here andnow.
Defining holiness in theCatholic tradition.
To truly embrace the universalcall to holiness, we must first
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understand what holiness meansin the heart of Catholic
tradition.
Holiness is not an abstract orunattainable ideal reserved only
for mystics or canonized saints.
Rather, it is the invitationextended to every Christian, an
invitation rooted in Scriptureand echoed by Christ Himself.
Be holy, for I am holy, 1 Peter1 16.
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In the Catholic sense, holinessis a full hearted response to
God's love by conforming ourlives to His will.
It is lived out not just inextraordinary acts but through
fidelity in daily life, choosingvirtue over vice, love over
indifference, and charity overselfishness.
The Church teaches that all arecalled to sanctity regardless of
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their vocation or circumstance,whether in the quiet of family
life, the challenges of theworkplace, or the solitude of
prayer, each moment carries thepotential for grace.
The saints provide luminousexamples of this call.
They show that sanctity looksdifferent in each life, yet
always reflects a steadfastcommitment to prayer,
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sacramental life, and service ofneighbor holiness, then isn't
about perfectionism orwithdrawal from the world, but
about allowing Christ totransform us in the midst of our
ordinary days.
This transformation is anongoing journey, a daily yes to
God.
It requires attention to thepromptings of the Holy Spirit, a
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deep love for the Eucharist,frequent confession, and a
devotion to the Blessed VirginMary and the saints.
Through these means, Catholicsdiscover that true holiness is
possible, attainable, and indeedexactly what we are called to,
we are called to be saints.
Tracing the call, scripture, andmagisterial teaching.
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The journey toward sainthoodbegins with a call, one that
reverberates through the ages,intimately personal yet
universally proclaimed.
The heart of this vocation liesin God's invitation to all.
Leviticus 1144.
This scriptural command is notreserved for a select few, but
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extends to every baptizedChristian, echoing in both the
Old and New Testaments.
Saint Paul, writing to the earlyChristian communities,
underscores this universalsummons to all the beloved of
God in Rome called to be saintsat Romans 1 7.
This is not mere encouragement,but a declaration of identity.
We are called to be saintsbecause sainthood is the
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fulfillment of our purpose,union with God, and witness to
his love in the world.
The magisterium, guided by theHoly Spirit, has consistently
affirmed this teaching.
The Second Vatican Council'sseminal document lumentium, the
dogmatic constitution on thechurch, boldly asserts all in
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the church are called toholiness.
Far from being an abstractideal, holiness is portrayed as
practical and achievable, woveninto the fabric of daily
Christian living, whetherpriest, religious, or lay
person, the church teaches thatevery state of life offers a
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path toward sanctity, each dayfilled with opportunities to
respond generously to God'sgrace.
Placing these teachings side byside, we see a radiant symmetry,
sacred scripture proclaims thecall, and the magisterium
illuminates the path.
To pursue holiness is not tofollow a solitary trail, but to
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walk alongside the saints whohave answered this call before
us, guided by the wisdom andauthority entrusted to the
church.
Grace sacraments in the journeytoward perfection.
The universal call to holinessis a profound invitation, one
that reaches to the very core ofwhat it means to be a follower
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of Christ.
At the heart of this call liesgrace, which the church teaches
is God's own life within us, agratuitous gift that enables us
to seek Him and strive forsanctity.
It is grace poured out throughthe sacraments that provides the
spiritual nourishment needed onour journey toward perfection.
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The sacraments are not mererituals or symbolic gestures,
they are real encounters withChrist.
Each sacrament from baptism tothe Eucharist, confession to
confirmation is a channelthrough which divine life flows
into the souls of the faithful.
In the Holy Eucharist, thesource and summit of the
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Christian life, we receive thevery body and blood of the Lord,
drawing us deeper into Hismystery and empowering us to
reflect His love to the worldreconciliation, meanwhile,
grants us the mercy we need toleave behind sin and to be
restored as God's belovedchildren.
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Holiness does not meanperfection from the outset, but
rather a willingness tocooperate with grace day by day.
The saints walk this path not asflawless beings, but as men and
women who allowed God's mercyand grace to transform their
weaknesses into strengths.
We are called to be saints tooby remaining faithful to daily
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prayer, participating frequentlyin the sacraments, and trusting
that God can accomplish greatthings through our yes no matter
how small it may seem.
This journey toward sainthood isoften marked by trials and
moments of uncertainty, butthrough it all, the sacraments
are stable anchor points,reminders of the unceasing love
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of the Father and thecompanionship of the whole
church by saying yes to grace,we take our first steps toward
holiness, comforted by theknowledge that God Himself is
walking beside us, cultivatingdaily prayer as the oxygen of
the soul.
To answer the call to holinessand step onto the path of
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sainthood, we must turn our gazeto the interior life, the place
where our souls encounter Godmost intimately.
Prayer is not a mere habit orobligation, it is the oxygen of
the soul, sustaining ourspiritual vitality and drawing
us deeper into union with theLord.
Like the saints before us, weare called to seek God daily, to
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listen to His voice, and topresent Him with the joys,
sorrows, and needs of ourhearts.
Carving out moments of prayereach day, whether a quiet
morning offering, the steadyrhythm of the rosary, or brief
conversations with Jesusthroughout our duties transforms
the ordinary into theextraordinary.
The catechism reminds us thatprayer is the raising of one's
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mind and heart to God.
CCC 2559.
This elevates our every action,reminding us that ultimately we
are called to be saints not byour own strength, but by God
working within us.
Beginning with even the simplestprayer such as Come, Holy
Spirit, we invite God topermeate our day.
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As Saint Teresa of Avilateaches, prayer is nothing else
than a close sharing betweenfriends.
With each moment steeped inprayer, our hearts become ever
more disposed to grace, ourvision sharpened to see God's
presence, and our desire forholiness grows.
By making prayer the steadypulse of each day, we imitate
the saints and open ourselvesfully to the transforming love
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of God.
In this daily encounter we findour purpose affirmed, to live
and become saints step byfaithful step.
The role of the Eucharist insanctifying our lives.
The Church has always taughtthat the Eucharist is not simply
a symbolic meal or a memorial,rather, it is the very body,
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blood, soul, and divinity of ourLord Jesus Christ.
Each time we approach the altarto receive the blessed
sacrament, we encounter ChristHimself in an intimate and
life-changing way.
This communion with Christ isboth a profound gift and a
powerful call.
We are called to be saints.
Participating in the Holy Massand receiving the Eucharist
(14:20):
provides us with thesupernatural strength necessary
to strive for holiness.
The saints throughout history,Saint Therese of Lysieux, Saint
John Paul II, Saint Padre Pio,drew their inspiration and
perseverance from frequentreception of Holy Communion.
Their lives vividly testify tothe truth that it is Christ in
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the Eucharist who sanctifies andtransforms hearts.
The catechism of the CatholicChurch proclaims the Eucharist
builds the church in CCC 1396.
This building up is not merelycollective but deeply personal.
Through the grace of theEucharist, our lives are
gradually conformed to Christ.
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Our ordinary actions begin toreflect his love, patience, and
mercy.
The more we receive him withfaith and devotion, the more he
heals our wounds, purifies ourdesires, and strengthens our
resolve to live as truedisciples.
Daily or frequent participationin mass is not just a pious
habit, it is an essential stepfor anyone serious about
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responding to God's universalcall to holiness.
In adoration before the BlessedSacrament, we are drawn ever
closer to the sacred heart, andwe begin to see ourselves and
our vocation to sanctity throughthe loving eyes of Christ.
The road to sainthood is nottraveled alone.
United in the Eucharist, we aremystically joined with the whole
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church, the angels, the saints,and all those who seek to follow
the Lord faithfully through theEucharist.
Heaven touches earth andempowers us to echo with our
lives the truth of the truththat we are called to be saints.
Learning from the saints,ordinary people, extraordinary
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grace.
When we think of saints, it'stempting to imagine distant
figures almost impossibly holyset apart by miracles or
visions, but the truth revealedthrough centuries of Catholic
tradition is both humbling andexhilarating.
Saints were ordinary men andwomen who responded to God's
call with extraordinary love,their stories woven into the
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Church's memory, remind us thatwe are called to be saints not
by our power but by cooperatingwith God's grace.
Consider Saint Therese ofLysieux, whose little way
transformed the simplest tasksinto acts of heroic virtue.
Therese did not travel to faroff mission lands or perform
dramatic wonders.
Instead, she sanctified dailylife, offering her struggles and
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joys for love of Christ.
In her autobiography, she sharesthe secret that holiness is not
only for the few, but for allwho surrender to God's will, no
matter how small their sphere.
Saint Francis of Assisi'sradical embrace of poverty shook
the world not because he soughtfame or legend, but because he
recognized Christ in the poorand lived with contagious joy.
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His journey started with achoice to set aside riches and
pursue the gospel withoutcompromise.
Like Francis, we too canrecognize moments, big or small,
where God calls us to let go andtrust in him completely.
Across continents and centuries,saints have arisen from every
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background, doctors, mothers,soldiers, teachers, laborers,
Saint Gianna Baretta Mola, aphysician and mother, chose life
for her child at the cost of herown Saint Jose Sanchez Del Rio,
a teenager witnessed to thefaith with unwavering courage
during persecution in Mexico.
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These examples place thechallenge and promise before us.
No matter our age, vocation, orcircumstance, holiness is within
reach.
The saints are not remote icons,but companions, living reminders
that faithfulness in ordinarylife opens the door to
extraordinary grace.
When we read their lives,meditate on their words, and
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lean on their intercession, wediscover a path that leads us
too, toward that universal callto holiness.
Their stories light the way,ever reminding us that we are
called to be saints right whereGod has planted us.
Seven virtues that shape thepath to holiness.
(18:41):
To walk the path of holiness isto respond wholeheartedly to the
call we are called to be saints.
The saints who have gone beforeus blaze the trail marked by
virtues, habits of heart andwill that conform us more
perfectly to Christ.
The Church's wisdom gives us theclassical seven virtues, the
four cardinal virtues, and thethree theological virtues.
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Together they form thefoundation for growth and
sanctity.
One, prudence.
Prudence is the virtue thatguides our actions by right
reason.
It empowers us to discern thegood and choose the correct
means to attain it, especiallywhen the way is unclear.
The saints never actedrecklessly but made prayerful,
thoughtful decisions rooted inGod's will.
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Two, justice justice compels usto give to God and to others
what is rightfully theirs.
It moves us beyond selfishnessinto genuine charity, defending
the dignity of all in theirministries.
The saints showed unwaveringresolve to defend the poor, the
outcast, and the vulnerable.
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three fortitude.
Fortitude gives us the courageto persevere in doing good even
in the face of suffering, trial,or ridicule.
The martyrs bore terriblehardships, sustained by
fortitude, proclaiming the truthwith unwavering faith.
Four, temperance.
Temperance helps us moderate ourdesires and use the gifts of
this world rightly.
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The lives of the saints aremarked by self-mastery, fasting,
and self-denial, always inpursuit of a greater love.
Five, faith.
Faith is our radical trust inGod's promises.
It anchors us in mystery andlets us walk by the light of
Christ even in the darkness.
The saints teach us to rely onGod even when we do not fully
understand His ways.
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6.
Hope Hope lifts our hearts tolong for eternal life and the
grace to reach it.
It empowers us to look beyondthe present moment, trusting
that God is leading us home.
When discouragement pressed in,the saints look to heaven.
7.
Charity Love.
Charity is the highest virtue,the bond of perfection.
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It enables us to love God aboveall things in our neighbor as
ourselves.
Every saint's story is atestament to the power of love,
love for God shown in prayer andsacrifice, love for neighbor
made present in service andcompassion.
Embracing these virtuesstrengthened by God's grace and
the example of the saints, webegin to live out the truth that
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we are called to be saints.
These virtues furnish our dailypilgrimage, shaping the heart
and soul on the journey towardholiness.
Living the Beatitudes in modernsociety.
Christ's Sermon on the Mountstands as a timeless invitation,
calling every Christian heart toembrace the Beatitudes as a
(21:30):
blueprint for holiness.
These sacred teachings, thoughdelivered over two millennia
ago, remain startlingly relevantfor those striving to answer the
call.
We are called to be saints evenamid the complexities of modern
life.
To be poor in spirit today meanscultivating humility in an era
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of self-promotion andachievement.
It is recognizing that our trueriches lie not in material
wealth or success, but in ourdependence on God's grace.
In a world often marked byself-reliance and pride,
surrendering to this divinepoverty is a radical witness of
faith.
The call to mourn finds meaningnot only in personal sorrow, but
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in a compassionate response tothe suffering of others.
The beatitudes invite us to weepwith those who mourn, to be
present to the brokenhearted andto bear one another's burdens as
a living sign of Christ's mercy.
Meekness is countercultural.
In a society that prizesassertiveness and victory, the
gentle and patient who refuse toretaliate or seek revenge
(22:40):
demonstrate the quiet strengthof the Lord.
It is through this very meeknessthat one inherits the earth, not
through domination but throughcharity.
Hungering and thirsting forrighteousness demands active
engagement with justice andtruth.
It means striving day after dayto live with integrity, defend
the vulnerable, and shape ourfamilies, workplaces, and
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communities according to thegospel.
The merciful extend forgivenesswhere the world might advise
resentment.
They choose to heal rather thanto hurt, embodying Christ's own
words.
Blessed are the merciful, forthey shall obtain mercy.
Purity of heart becomes thecompass that steers every
thought, action, and intentiontoward God, undiluted by
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distractions or lesser loves ina culture of countless
temptations, the pure of heartseek the face of Christ above
all else.
Finally, peacemakers areurgently needed in homes,
neighborhoods, and nationsdivided by strife and
misunderstanding, those whofoster reconciliation, who speak
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truth with love, who reach outacross boundaries, these are
counted among the children ofGod.
Each beatitude is a steppingstone along the path toward
sainthood, rooted in prayer,lived in community and
actualized through concrete actsof faith.
They challenge and inspire us toreflect Christ's holiness in
every aspect of our dailyexistence.
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Love of God and neighbor, theheart of sainthood.
To walk the path of sainthood isabove all to answer the twofold
commandment on which hang allthe law and the prophets,
Matthew 22 40, to love God withall our heart, soul, and mind,
and to love our neighborsourselves.
This is not merely a suggestionor a lofty ideal reserved for a
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few exceptional souls.
Rather, it is the universal callat the root of our Christian
identity, a call echoing throughthe ages, beckoning each of us
to holiness.
The saints teach us that love ofGod cannot be separated from
love of neighbor.
Their lives reveal a profoundunion with Christ that overflows
(24:52):
into a radical charity for thosearound them, whether caring for
the sick, defending themarginalized, or quietly
forgiving daily offenses, theyunderstood that to encounter
Christ in prayer compels us toserve Him and others.
(25:12):
This double flame of love fixedon heaven but active on earth
blossoms in the humble, faithfulrhythms of daily life.
Holiness is not about performinggrand miracles or achieving
public acclaim.
It starts in small acts offorgiveness, a patient word to a
weary soul, silent time beforethe blessed sacrament, and
steadfast fidelity to God'scommandments.
(25:35):
In choosing love even when it isdifficult, we gradually become
more like Christ, the true modeland friend of every saint.
In embracing this universalvocation, we discover what the
gospel means when it says we arecalled to be saints.
Sainthood is not distant norunattainable, it takes root in
hearts receptive to God's loveand willing to pour it out for
(25:59):
others every choice to love is astep deeper into the heart of
Christ and thus into the heartof what it means to become holy.
Conclusion The first stepstoward sainthood begin now.
As we reflect on the universalcall to holiness, we remember
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that the journey towardsainthood is not reserved for
the few, but is the vocation ofevery baptized soul.
The saints themselves began withhumble steps of faith,
responding daily to the Lord'sinvitation to seek him above all
else.
At journeys of faith we holdfirm to the truth that we are
(26:42):
called to be saints, not by ourmerits, but by God's
unfathomable grace workingthrough the ordinary and
extraordinary moments of ourlives, inspired by the enduring
witness of Bob and Penny Lordand the lives of countless holy
men and women, let us answerthis call wholeheartedly,
nourished by the sacraments,guided by Scripture, enriched by
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prayer, and supported by thecommunion of the church.
No matter your stage in life orspiritual experience, the road
toward holiness unfolds step bystep, sustained by a
faithfulness that echoes throughthe centuries.
We invite you to continue thispilgrimage with us, learning
from the saints, encounteringmiracles, both seen and hidden,
(27:26):
and drawing ever closer toChrist together.
May we live out our mission.
One heart, one mind, one spiritwith one vision, ever striving
toward the holiness that Goddesires for each of us.
Thank you, family, for listeningto Super Saints Podcast.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for special news
(27:46):
item.
And since there is more to thisarticle, finish reading and
check out the special offer.
Visit JourneysofFaith.comwebsite today.
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