“I told you once how it puzzled me that God did not give everyone the same amount of glory in Heaven, and I feared they could not all be happy. You sent me off to fetch one of Father’s big glasses and made me put my little thimble by the side of it; then you filled them both up with water and asked me which I thought was the fuller. I had to admit that one was just as full as the other because neither of them would hold any more.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
Who is the greatest of all saints? I find myself this morning pondering this question. Of course, I instantly go to my Patroness, St. Faustina. But, then I think as I’ve meditated over the past week of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. She was there with her little way before I knew of Divine Mercy and St. Faustina. And, who can build a list of the greatest without including St Maximilian Kolbe, St John Paul II, St, Theresa of Kalkuta, St Padre Pio and a litany of others not to forget St. Patrick, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine and of course, the original 11 who arranged the stones upon the foundation that built the Catholic Church.
So many greats of our faith who gave us numerous paths and numerous quotes to inspire and strengthen our souls.
How can I measure up to even to least of the saints?
Honestly that is a loaded and trick question. It’s simple. Follow the ways these saints and others have shown us. As St. Therese wrote in ‘The Story of a Soul”, line up two followers and true believers earnestly seeking God, one ‘the greatest of Saints’ and the other, ‘little ole me’ and see that the glass of grace and mercy and glory in Heaven is just as full for the smallest in the Kingdom as those sitting on the twelve thrones.
“The knowledge that it was impossible to do anything of myself rendered my task easier.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
But, how can I become a saint? Don’t you know me? Again, simple, as Thérèse and Faustina (and others wrote), trust in God. Submit to His Divine Will which is that you be a saint.
“It is He alone Who, pleased with my feeble efforts, will raise me to Himself, and, by clothing me with His merits, make me a Saint.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
Oh, and there is a ‘cheat’ to becoming a saint, even a great Saint. Devote yourself to following and learning from THE greatest of all Saints, the Queen and Mother of Saints – our Blessed Mother, Mary. A sincere and devout love of Mary, submitting oneself to her will, is the quickest way to sanctity. When someone enrolls in the “school of Our Lady,” they learn about humbly accepting God’s will, as did Mary when the Angel Gabriel revealed her mission in life. Putting ourselves in Mary’s hands will lead us directly to Jesus.
“Our Blessed Lady is the means our Lord made use of to come to us. She is also the means which we must use of to go to Him” – St Louis DeMontfort – True Devotion
Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary truly is the “surest, easiest, shortest, and the most perfect means to becoming a saint.” (St. Louis DeMontfort)
If we want to become a saint, let us not try to do it on our own, but do so with Mary and the saints at our side.