My Thoughts 01/11/2022

After Canon De Laubenque built the extension to our church of St Thomas of Canterbury in 1964, the artist Helen Grunwald artist painted a wonderful mural depicting all the saints associated with Canterbury. To this day we refer to this part of the building as: ”the All Saints Chapel.” As to be expected all those depicted in the mural were bishops, priests, friars and nuns.

Today’s feast of All Saints celebrates not only those canonised but all who have earned their eternal reward with God.

The French novelist, Leon Bloy said,

“The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint.”

On this day I always remember my Auntie Genie who wasn’t a real aunt but my brother’s godmother. She worked all her life at the Garret Anderson hospital. When she came to visit she always told us wonderful stories and in retirement had the most extensive vegetable and flower garden in the shadow of the Malvern Hills. When I used to visit she was a wonderful listener and always showed great interest in what we were doing. As a Catholic she had a deep faith. I consider her a saint.

Here is someone’s reflection on sanctity

“The saints are like windows.

Through them the light of God’s wisdom
streams into the world,
banishing the darkness
and brightening the road for uncertain travellers.

Through them the warmth of God’s love
radiates throughout the world,
banishing the coldness,
warming the hearts of even the most forlorn of his creatures.

And through them we catch a glimpse for a moment of another world,
a world that lies not just beyond the walls of our eternal home,
but even beyond the stars.”