Saints are ordinary people, who loved God extraordinarily. Most saints had distinctive superpowers, which were noticeable, such as their gifts of healing, prophecy, levitation, bi-location, stigmata, invulnerability to persecutions and pain, tolerance to heat and incorruptibility. Some saints even had their bodies incorruptible years after their death, like St Francis Xavier, St Bernadette, St Padre Pio and many others.

However, it is not these superpowers that make them saints, but it is their incredible, unceasing love for God. The Holy Spirit distributes His charisms generously to all God’s people. However, most people do not use these charisms. Others use it selfishly for their own glory. Therefore, having charisms is not a sign of any saintliness. Actually, it is the fruits of the Holy Spirit that greatly abides in the saints, that mark their distinctive characters.

For instance, we can be part of various church ministries, volunteer in charities and mission works, generously help the poor and do many noble works, out of a sense of obligation, as a Christian. Our motives are honourable and so are our deeds. Nevertheless, it is not done out of zeal and love for God, but out of a sense of responsibility. Sometimes, we do good, just to feel good about ourselves. Sometimes, we may wish others to notice our noble deeds. These motives, although they appear harmless, do not lead us to saintliness, but rather takes us away from God, into empty vanity. Mother Theresa helped the poor not to win the noble prize, nor to feel good about herself, nor because of her obligation to religious duty, but for the love of God and the poor.

The following are some of the characteristics that mark the lives of the saints:

  • Extraordinary love for God – They loved God more than their lives
  • Abounding in virtues, such as humility, kindness, charity, fortitude, faith and chastity
  • Prayerfulness – They prayed without ceasing
  • They obeyed God’s will
  • They glorified God in everything
  • They persevered until the end

One of the appreciable characteristics of saints is that they were great influencers. Saints made other people saints. For instance, St Francis of Assisi was a great influencer and a mentor to St Claire. St Monica and St Ambrose greatly influenced St Augustine. Many married couples influenced each other and are saints; St Anne and St Joachim, Mother Mary and St Joseph, St Aquila and St Pricilla, St Elizabeth and St Zachary, St Louis Martin and St Zélie Guérin Martin who were the parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux, college roommates, St Ignatius of Loyola and St Francis Xavier, brothers St James and St John, twins St Benedict and St Scholastica. Friends, who influenced and supported the other until death; St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross, St Patrick and St Brigid, St Felicity and St Perpetua, and the list is endless.

The church calls us to be in ‘communion with all saints’, because they can bring us closer to Jesus Christ. They are imitators of Christ. They too can intercede for us and guide us to be imitators of Christ. Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children (Ephesians 5:1, NRSV).

God calls all people from all walks of life to become His saints. To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2). You may think you are far from being a saint. Just remember that saints were ordinary people, who did their best to love God, and God did the rest. It is God who sanctifies us, bestows His graces and mercy and enables us to fulfil His purpose and mission. It is God who makes saints. We can love God because He has placed His divine love in our hearts. Everything we do is through Him, in Him and with Him.

You may not be quite there yet, but as God pours His infinite love into your finite heart, you will feel the intensity of the pain and you will feel your heart is going to explode. That is exactly when you will realise, you are a saint in the making, a saint on training wheels.

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