Peruvian archbishop reminds Catholics of the universal call to holiness

Piura, Peru, Nov 3, 2010 / 11:55 am

Archbishop Jose Antonio Eguren of Piura, Peru reminded Catholics that holiness is “the universal vocation of all” in his Nov. 1 homily for the feast of All Saints.

The archbishop recalled that All Saints' Day “invites us to contemplate our brothers and sisters who are now in the Kingdom of Heaven.” He said that “this should lead us to make greater efforts to take the Christian life seriously.

“In whatever state of life you find yourself, it is there you are called to be holy.”

Holiness is the “life of God made present in someone in all of its beauty, intensity and strength. We know that God is love, and therefore, a saint is someone who allows love to act in his life.  A saint is one who allows his life to be inflamed by the love of God.  For this reason, God sent us his Son Jesus, that we might follow him and make him present in our lives and in the lives of others,” Archbishop Eguren said.

“Only a saint can truly bring about the transformation our world needs,” he continued.  “Changes starts with us and then spreads to others.  The world will not change if I do not,” he said.

Referring to the gospel reading on the beatitudes, Archbishop Eguren said the passage provides a road map for our lives that satisfies our longings for the infinite and for happiness.

The archbishop concluded his homily calling on Catholics to entrust themselves to Mary, Queen of all Saints.

“We pray she inspire in us true desire for holiness and that she help us to remain faithful to her Son.”