Surrounded by Love by Lori Wilson

All Saints Day is coming up on November 1st, and I have to say—I love this day.

It's when I pause to remember all the saints God has placed in my life —ordinary people who have pointed me toward Jesus, toward God, toward Love itself. I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the gifts I've received from these beautiful souls.

The Saints Walking Beside Me Now

Let me tell you about just a few of the saints who surround me.

There's the dear friend who understands when nightmares wake me, who knows exactly how to help me feel seen and loved. My sister, whose random check-in calls tell me I matter. The mentor at Fairfield who bumped into me coming out of an office, offering a huge smile and an embrace that felt like it came straight from Jesus. A priest I work with, who partners with me in creating and dreaming, whose gentleness heals old wounds I didn't know I was still carrying.

My daughters, who have been God's loving voice in my life over and over again. My grandchildren, whose simple texts asking "what's going on?" remind me I'm woven into their days. Bishop Budde, whose courageous example of seizing the opportunities set before her shows me what it looks like to say yes to God's invitation.

Those Who Have Gone Before

Then there are those whose presence I still feel, even though they've died.

Gran, who introduced me to the beauty of liturgy and taught me that God is to be invited into every corner of our lives. Fr. LaSala, a priest with whom I could disagree and then break bread. Miranda, a student who died far too young, was one of the most loving people I've ever known. Sr. MaryPat (MP), a dear friend who treated me as an equal and invited me into conversations that made me feel genuinely valued.

Saints I've Never Met

And then there are those whose lives have shaped mine from across centuries and distances:

Hildegard of Bingen, who taught me the sacred value of living a balanced life. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose costly work for justice showed me what it means to live with others always in mind. St. Ignatius, who opened my eyes to see God in all things. St. Francis, who invites me to meet God in this achingly beautiful created world.

An Invitation to Be Surrounded

This time of year is our invitation to spend time with God in gratitude for all the saints who have touched our lives—known and unknown, living and dead, famous and ordinary. They are God's love made visible.

On November 1st, and perhaps throughout this entire month, let yourself be surrounded by the communion of saints. Feel their presence. Remember their love. Let them companion you. You are not alone—you never have been. You are held in this great cloud of witnesses, these people who have shown you the way to God.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

For all the saints—

For their examples that light the way,

For their messages of love and kindness,

For their lives that invite me

To live reflecting Your love.

Thank You, God.

Thank You.

Reflection Questions

• Who in your life right now is a saint for you? How does God work through them to show you Love?

• Who has gone before you that you miss deeply? What legacy of pointing toward God did they leave you?

• Which saints you've never personally met have shown you something about God that has stayed with you?

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Spend time with each person who comes to mind. Let yourself feel the gratitude. Say their names.

Then ask yourself: Whose list might I be on? How do I point the way to God for others?