God calls all Christians to be saints – not plastic statues of saints, but real people who make time for prayer and who show loving care for others in the simplest gestures. Pope Francis reminds us to not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality, or joy. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer,” he wrote. But that is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. How is this done? We see it in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile. The path to holiness is almost always gradual, made up of small steps in prayer, sacrifice, and service to others. Being part of a parish community and receiving the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and reconciliation, are essential supports for living a holy life. And so is finding time for silent prayer. The holiness to which the Lord calls you will grow through small gestures, like the woman who refuses to gossip with a neighbor, returns home and listens patiently to her child even though she is tired, prays the rosary and later meets a poor person and offers him a kind word. Thanks be to God, throughout the history of the church it has always been clear that a person’s perfection is measured not by the information or knowledge they possess, but by the depth of their charity, bearing all for the sake of others.