BFG Universal Call to Holiness
The “Universal Call to Holiness” is a central teaching of the Catholic Church that emphasizes that all people, regardless of their state in life or vocation, are called to holiness. This doctrine was reaffirmed and expanded upon during the Second Vatican Council, particularly in the document Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church). The teaching highlights that holiness is not reserved for clergy, religious, or a select few, but is the calling of every baptized person.
When the Church says that “we are called to holiness,” it means each person is invited to live a life that reflects God’s love, mercy, and goodness. Holiness is about aligning ourselves with God’s will and embodying virtues like faith, hope, and charity (love) in our daily lives. This calling is universal—intended for everyone, not just clergy or religious figures—and is meant to be lived out through everyday actions, relationships, and responsibilities, not only through religious vocations.
Key Principles of the Universal Call to Holiness
Love is the Path to Holiness
- Central to the call to holiness is the commandment to love God and neighbor. The more we love, the more we grow in holiness. Acts of charity, kindness, forgiveness, and justice are seen as tangible expressions of this love.
Matthew 22:37-39Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment.The second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
- Central to the call to holiness is the commandment to love God and neighbor. The more we love, the more we grow in holiness. Acts of charity, kindness, forgiveness, and justice are seen as tangible expressions of this love.
Union with God:
- Holiness is about seeking a close, personal relationship with God, allowing His presence to shape every part of our lives. Through prayer, sacraments, and reading scripture, we grow closer to God and come to understand His love more deeply. This union transforms us, gradually aligning our hearts and actions with His.
Living Out Virtues:
- The life of holiness involves embodying virtues such as humility, kindness, patience, courage, and forgiveness. These virtues are reflections of God’s character. By practicing them, we become more Christ-like, acting as vessels of His love and grace in the world.
A Life of Service:
- Holiness isn’t just about personal piety or prayer; it extends outward in service to others. Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Serving others, especially those in need, reflects God’s love and fulfills His command to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Transforming the Ordinary:
- Holiness doesn’t require extraordinary feats. Instead, it’s often about doing ordinary things with great love and intention, offering up our work, family life, and daily interactions to God. Saints like Thérèse of Lisieux, known for her “Little Way,” showed that we can reach holiness by embracing small, everyday sacrifices and treating them as acts of love for God.
Openness to God’s Will:
- Part of holiness is surrendering our plans and desires to God’s will, trusting that He knows what’s best. This can involve making sacrifices, following God’s call even when it’s challenging, and finding peace in His plan for us, as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The Role of Grace
- Holiness is not something one achieves through personal effort alone; it is a gift of God’s grace. Through the sacraments, prayer, and a relationship with God, individuals receive the grace needed to grow in holiness.
Everyday Life as a Path to Holiness
- The Church teaches that holiness can be pursued in the ordinary moments of life—through family, work, relationships, and community service. It’s about sanctifying daily activities by offering them to God and seeking His will in all things.
Holiness Through Suffering and Trials
- Part of the call to holiness involves accepting and enduring the difficulties and trials of life with faith. Suffering, when united with Christ’s suffering, becomes a path to deeper holiness and spiritual growth.
Holiness Transforms the World
- By responding to the call to holiness, individuals contribute to the transformation of society. Holy lives bear witness to the love and truth of the Gospel, inspiring others and building up the Kingdom of God on earth.
Holiness in Scripture and Church Teachings
The concept of being “called to holiness” is rooted in scripture and Church tradition. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it says, “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.’” The Catechism of the Catholic Church also emphasizes this call, stating that all baptized Christians are called to holiness, to grow into full maturity in Christ, and to radiate His love to others (CCC 2013-2015).
Why the Call to Holiness is Universal
Every person is created in the image of God, and this divine imprint means that we’re all capable of reflecting God’s goodness in our lives. The Second Vatican Council emphasized this universal call to holiness, reminding us that holiness is for everyone—not just those who take religious vows or join the clergy but for all Christians in their unique roles and circumstances.
Chapter 5 of Lumen Gentium specifically addresses the universal call to holiness. It teaches that:
- All Christians are called to holiness, which is “the perfection of charity” (love).
- Holiness consists in love of God and neighbor, following Christ’s teachings and example.
- It is fostered by prayer, the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and a life of service and humility.
The council stressed that this call is a vocation for everyone, not just clergy or religious. Laypeople are called to sanctify the world by bringing their faith into everyday life, in families, workplaces, and society at large.
In Summary
The call to holiness is a lifelong journey of seeking God’s guidance, practicing virtue, repenting when we fall short, and trusting in His mercy and grace. Holiness is both a gift from God and something we actively pursue, with the Holy Spirit helping us grow more like Christ each day.
At its heart, this call invites us to become our truest selves—reflecting God’s love and positively impacting the world.
This universal call reminds Christians that each of us is meant to be a saint, and that holiness is possible through faithfulness in everyday life. It emphasizes that holiness is not about perfection, but about a genuine desire to follow God and allow His grace to transform us.
Ultimately, the call to holiness encourages all believers to grow closer to God, live out their faith sincerely, and share Christ’s love with others.