November 5, 2025

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

My favorite Catholic Holy Day each year is All Saints Day. Our Catholic Church canonizes many persons each year as saints. One of the first thing that Pope Leo XlV did after he became the Pope was to celebrate a Mass of canonization for several people as saints. However, you and I know that there are many saints with God in Heavenly glory but not canonized by the Church. On All Saints Day, I remember many of these as my saints. With the Lord’s help and love they found me, and they became my saints.

So, today, with you, I would like to remember many of my saints – firstly, my mother and many of my family. When I was young, they did so much for me. They guided me, leading to my vocation as a priest. They truly supported me. They were my saints.

On All Saints Day, I also, remember and celebrate the many priests who have been part of my life and who are now with the Lord. They guided me; they showed me the way, especially in my formation, to becoming a good priest. Let me mention one from my years at Wadhams Hall: There was a public speaking course each year taught by Father Bailey – a course that did so much to make good preachers of all of us, seminarians. I consider him one of my saints. He did so much to help me become a good preacher. And there were many other priests in my life, including my friends and those I worked with. They supported me along the way. They were all my saints.

As a priest, I was a pastor in many parishes. In those places there were so many great people – holy and involved parishioners. I also remember so many wonderful families. I was truly impressed, and they helped me be a good pastor. They brought spirit and holiness to the parish and to me, and I remember them well. They were also my saints.

I have discovered over the years many terrific Catholic writers and leaders, and I believe they were saints, although they were not canonized. Let me mention one – Thomas Merton. As you remember, he was a convert to Catholicism, and he entered the Trappist Religious order and became a priest. He was a prolific writer. I discovered him as a high school student. I am certain that he was a profound influence on my decision to become a priest. He is one of my saints.

Let me mention another – as a young priest – I discovered Catherine de Heuck Doherty – she founded a community that she named Madonna House. I was blessed to be able to spend several summers at Madonna House in my younger years. My spirituality was profoundly influenced by Catherine and by her community. I know that she is a saint now with the Lord.

Oh, yes – let me remind you of one more of my saints. When I was in high school, a public high school, there was weekly afternoon period when we walked to a nearly Catholic Church for a religion class. I still remember a religious sister – I must admit I do not remember her name –who put me in touch with many great spiritual writers, like Thomas Merton. I have lost track of this sister, but I still remember that she had a profound influence on my decision to enter the seminary and become a priest. She is still one of my saints.

So, thank you, God! In your concern for me, you have filled my life with many saints. They have not been canonized by the Church, but I remember them often, especially on All Saints Day.