During the first two days of November, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, called on Catholics to reflect on what the Second Vatican Council described as “the universal call to holiness.” In a pastoral message, he emphasized that all people are made in God’s image and likeness and are called to be saints regardless of their personal histories.

“What does it mean to be holy? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, ‘the desire for God is written in the human heart’ (#27). Human beings are destined to seek God, find him and unite with him—both here on Earth and in our heavenly home,” Cardinal Tobin wrote.

He explained that holiness is a sign of one’s closeness to God. “Holy men and women are close to God. That is why we call them ‘saints,’ which comes from the Latin word sanctus or holy.”

Cardinal Tobin referenced Pope Leo XIV’s homily during the canonization of two young saints: “Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own time, both in love with Jesus and willing to give everything for him.” He also cited how St. Francis of Assisi asked Jesus, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” after an encounter that led him toward rebuilding the Church.

Quoting Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical Spe Salvi (On Christian Hope), Cardinal Tobin highlighted: “Life is a journey across the sea of history, often dark and stormy, a journey in which we search for stars that show us the way. The true stars of our lives are those who have lived rightly.” The Pope described these figures as lights of hope pointing toward Christ.

The cardinal noted that many saints have been officially recognized by the Church through canonization processes such as those recently held for Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis on September 7, 2025. However, he added that over two millennia many others have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to Christ without official recognition. These individuals are honored on All Saints’ Day each November 1.

He stated that all Christians face challenges in striving for holiness but can rely on sacraments like Eucharist and penance for support along this path. Even after death, Catholics believe it remains possible for souls to grow closer to God—a belief reflected in prayers for deceased loved ones.

“Thanks be to God, his grace and mercy are infinite. Our loving and merciful God never abandons us,” Cardinal Tobin wrote.

In addition to his own reflections, Cardinal Tobin included selected passages from Pope Benedict XVI about prayer being an exercise in desire—expanding one’s heart so it may receive God—and cautioned against praying selfishly or insincerely: “We must learn not to pray against others... We must purify our desires and hopes.”

A selection from Pope Leo XIV’s homily further underscored commitment: “‘Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple’ (Luke 14:27); ... [Jesus] calls us...with intelligence and strength coming from his Spirit...to listen attentively to his word.”

The homily recalled how both Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati—known for charity work among Turin's poor—and Carlo Acutis found faith through family life or church involvement; both were devoted especially through daily Mass, prayer before the Eucharist (“When we stand before Jesus in the Eucharist we become saints,” said Carlo), confession (“What we should really fear is sin”), charity toward others (“Around the poor I see a light we do not have,” said Pier Giorgio), and devotion even amid illness.

Cardinal Tobin concluded by inviting Catholics into prayer during All Saints’ Day (November 1) asking God: “Make us holy. Deepen our desire for holiness...” For All Souls’ Day (November 2), he offered prayers seeking mercy upon departed souls.