Thoughts on Sainthood and Sanctification

I believe that through God's mercy and grace we might all aspire to some aspect of sainthood that will be unique to each of us. I'm not referring to piety or martyrdom, or miracles, or becoming missionaries, or even caring for the sick and poor, but ordinary people who live out their everyday lives with virtue truly loving God and communing heart to heart with others however that manifests.

I became a lay apostle/priest within the mystical body of Christ's church when I converted and was  confirmed a Catholic. Obviously that's different from an ordained priest who officiates over the sacraments and oversees a parish, but all who are baptized and confirmed are consecrated to sanctify all by their being and actions in the secular world.*
(Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 783-784, 1303-1305;   Priesthood of the Laity)

Ordained bishops, priests, and deacons are essential to the continuation of the living tradition of the Catholic Church as the bearers of Christ’s lineage through the sacraments but Jesus never intended for the rest of us to be idle sheep in spite of the analogies to the shepherd and His flock.

Every Christian is an apostle of Jesus and His Church and has been enlivened with the Holy Spirit through their baptism and confirmation. Men and young women of the Catholic church can discern religious vocations and couples a marital vocation, while the laity at large, male and female, young and old, married and single, as inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, the liturgy, and the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist, is called today to keep Christ's divinity and holy humanity alive within the Church and in every human soul.  (CCC 1285, 1302)

This is especially important in light of the aging and dwindling numbers of religious and especially ordained Catholic priests perpetuated, in part, by divine order that the lineage of Jesus Christ can only be passed on through men. Pope Francis, however, has acknowledged that “Lay people, and especially women, need to be more valued in their human and spiritual skills and gifts for the life of parishes and dioceses” not simply for the sake of numbers, "but rather a correct vision of the church, the church as the people of God".  Let's pray that it evolves sooner rather than later.
(Pope Francis, Vatican Synod Hall, Feb., 20, 2023).

I first experienced "God" during a heart-centered "breath of life" meditation in a non-Christian tradition. In recent years Christian prayer/meditation, the Eucharist, and scripture have helped me build this relationship through God's embodiment as Jesus Christ. Converting to Catholicism gave me greater depth and character to my relationship with God through Jesus. To maintain a deeper, personal relationship with Him, in addition to attending mass and praying with scripture, I continue my heart-centered contemplative practices that initially sensitized me to the Holy Spirit and opened me to Christ's Living Presence in the Eucharist. A regular practice of prayer, meditation, and contemplation can open Catholics/Christians/Others to a greater depth of God's Love, Wisdom, and Creative Spirit from which we came and aspire to return to.

Catholic Spirituality/Mysticism helps me understand who/what God is in my life, why I exist, and Jesus Christ is the light that guides me in how to live and be in community. I might add that along with the New Testament I have found the Catechism of the Catholic Church a comprehensive manual on how to be spiritually human.

I do not say Catholicism is the only and right path to God! It is only one, the one that gives me teachings and a model of how to live in joy, love, peace, and compassion; a sacrament that supernaturally/mystically transforms me slowly into that model and another sacrament to help me clear the "rubble" of being human thus clearing the way to God and Heaven; and a global community.

God has directed me down several path's in my spiritual life journey that are infused in my soul and shared through my spiritual presence. This website and however it evolves, is one way that I share the love and gratitude that I have for God and the spiritual richness that he has graced me with throughout my life. I hope to encourage you to partake in these Interior Life Practices of personal prayer and meditation and other offerings through this website, so that you might know and experience the truths and aliveness of God's Radical Love and Consciousness couriered to us through the Holy Spirit.

Please continue reading if you find anything here that your heart resonates with and your mind wants to explore further.

Be at peace knowing God's got you,
Linda K. Saxton
Catholic Convert and Spiritual Formation Facilitator