The Kindness of Every-Day Saints

"In God’s great plan, every detail is important, even yours, even my humble little witness, even the hidden witness of those who live their faith with simplicity in everyday family relationships, work relationships, friendships. There are the saints of every day, the 'hidden' saints..."
―Pope Francis
 

Today is All Saints' Day.  I went to a beautiful Mass this morning that celebrated saints and other holy people of the Americas.  Those big names of the Catholic Church are the ones we know, but as Pope Francis said, there are every-day saints among us.

For me, every-day saints are the people whose lives I admire, people who try to be gentle and generous, humble and true.  They are the people who ease the burden of others while handling their challenges with faith, grace and good humor.  They are people like all of us, who just try to live their lives by their guiding principles, by their faith.  Every-day saints are kind people.

My every-day saints include the steadfast friend, the mother who always helps me with my children as if it is the easiest thing in the world, the friend whose unexpected call brightens my day, the doctor who spends more time with me than makes economic sense, and the person on the other end of the phone who is friendly and helpful beyond what I have reason to expect.  The kindness of my every-day saints gives me great joy.  And it reminds me that through our simple and small acts of kindness, we can all share with each other a little bit of sainthood.