All are called to holiness
The call to holiness is universal, but the call is varied. The call can be lived as a single person, married and raising families, consecrated life as religious brothers or sisters, or priestly life. Each role contributes to the building of the Church and society.
Jan 26, 2025

Perceptivity - Sr Margarete Sta Maria FdCC
What is holiness?
The call to holiness is universal, but the call is varied. The call can be lived as a single person, married and raising families, consecrated life as religious brothers or sisters, or priestly life. Each role contributes to the building of the Church and society. Whatever the vocation, all the baptised make up the Church and all who are baptised are called to acknowledge the Church as their own and to contribute to society as salt of the earth and light of the world.
Vatican Council II states, “Strengthened by so many and such great means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their condition or state, are called by the Lord – each in his or her own way – to that perfect holiness by which the Father himself is perfect”. [LG11]
A baptised person must see his or her mission on earth as a path of holiness, for “this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess 4:3). [GE19] Part of being a Christian is growing to be like Christ. And part of growing in Christ-likeness is growing in holiness. Holiness is not separate from practical daily living.
Pope Francis tells us that “we are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. 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. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.” [GE14]
Thus, to “Be holy” is a divine call to deeper relationship, a personal encounter with God. We still need holiness because we need God. God is holy, and “without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) Our personal encounters with a holy God will so change us that we will look remarkably different from the world: different enough to make people think and reflect.
Scripture calls this “sanctification.” Sanctification is the process by which one grows in holiness to become more and more like Christ. But we still can’t do it on our own efforts. Jesus died to make us holy, and we must trust Him to help us grow. Holiness is not achieved through self-will or determination. This is where the spiritual disciplines of reading Scriptures, spending time with God in prayer, enjoying communion of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), serving others and sharing your faith come in. It is only as we spend time with God and other believers that we will grow in our sanctification.
Growth in holiness is a life-long process. It is only when we ask God to change us that we will see the changes come. But you must ultimately take all your efforts and place them at the disposal of Christ who alone can make you holy. Only Christ can change your heart. And only when Christ has changed your heart will you find yourself growing in holiness.
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”. But setting your mind on things above does not free you from your obligations to other people. On the contrary, setting your mind on things above frees you from the unhealthy attachment to earthly things that keeps you from loving and serving your neighbour as you should on the path to holiness.
Holiness in Consecrated Life Consecrated life is a gift of God to the Church (cf. Vita Consecrata 3, 105). Holiness for consecrated persons means being “set apart” for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This is a specific style of living out the commitment to holiness and service. By living the Evangelical Counsels, they have the special mission to remind everyone of the universal vocation to holiness.
However, holiness is the great challenge of our day for those leading the consecrated life; it is the major prophetic witness of our time (VC 84). It is a call to perseverance on the path of holiness in the midst of the material and spiritual difficulties of daily life (VC 37). But it is also a call to pursue competence in personal work and to develop a dynamic fidelity to their mission, adapting forms, if need be, to new situations and different needs, in complete openness to God’s inspiration and to the Church’s discernment. Pope Francis states that “Everything can be accepted and integrated into our life in this world, and become a part of our path to holiness. We are called to be contemplatives even in the midst of action, and to grow in holiness by responsibly and generously carrying out our proper mission.” [GE26]
As part of the Church, consecrated persons do not only commit themselves to becoming holy but to promote and witness to holiness among all Christians. “Today a renewed commitment to holiness by consecrated persons is more necessary than ever, also as a means for promoting and supporting every Christian’s desire for perfection (...) Consecrated persons, at the deepest level of their being are caught up in the dynamism of the Church’s life, which is thirsty for the divine Absolute and called to holiness. It is to this holiness that they bear witness. The fact that all are called to become saints cannot fail to inspire more and more those who by their very choice of life have the mission of reminding others of that call” (VC 39; cf. 103).
Thus, consecrated life is the manifestation (epiphany) of God’s love in the world. As consecrated persons, the call to holiness focuses on doing the will of God for the world today. The diverse orders with various charisms give witness to the wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, enriching God’s people by helping to build the Kingdom of God here on earth. As prophetic persons, they must guarantee the enforcement and sustainment of truth, justice and peace everywhere and at all times.
Ultimately, it is Christ who loves in us and through us, for “holiness is nothing other than charity lived to the full” (BENEDICT XVI, Catechesis, General Audience of April 13 2011: Insegnamenti VII (2011), 451)
Conclusion
The path of holiness is a source of peace and joy for all, given to us by the Spirit. At the same time, it demands that we keep “our lamps lit” (Lk 12:35) and be attentive. “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess 5:22). “Keep awake” (Mt 24:42; Mk 13:35). “Let us not fall asleep” (1 Thess 5:6). [GE164]. So, let us listen to the voice that calls all baptised persons to holiness as 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'”
(Sr Margarete Sta Maria FdCC is the Director of the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute)
Total Comments:0