Christians have been urged to embrace a life of holiness, persevere through life’s challenges and remain focused on their heavenly calling as the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints.
The message was delivered by Rev. Fr. Ponsiano Kwitonda, Curate of Rushoroza Cathedral, during Holy Mass celebrated at Rushoroza Cathedral on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
In his homily, Fr. Kwitonda congratulated the faithful upon successfully concluding the Marian month of October and welcomed them to November, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their Christian journey.
He reminded Christians that life on earth is a pilgrimage, and that their ultimate destination is heaven, where they hope to attain eternal rest with God. He emphasized that holiness is possible for everyone, noting that the saints attained their heavenly reward because they persevered through the trials and challenges of earthly life.
“What is holy cannot be mixed with what is profane. If we want to live with the holy God, we must embrace a life of holiness,” he emphasized.
Reflecting on the victory of the saints, Fr. Kwitonda explained that their success was the result of a spiritual battle they fought and won through perseverance and faith in God. He encouraged Christians to recognize that the same battle is part of their daily lives and assured them that, with God on their side, they can emerge victorious.
He further reminded the faithful that the Christian journey is not a solitary one, but a shared journey in which believers need to support, encourage and learn from one another.
“We cannot succeed alone. Let us lean on one another’s shoulders and learn from each other,” he urged.
Drawing from the Gospel reading, Fr. Kwitonda reflected on the Beatitudes, through which Jesus teaches Christians the values and virtues that lead to the Kingdom of Heaven.
He explained that the poor in spirit are those who acknowledge God’s presence in their lives, recognize their dependence on Him and trust in His providence. He also described the humble as people who recognize that everything they are and possess comes through God’s mercy and grace.
On the call to mercy, he challenged Christians to avoid mercilessness, selfishness and oppression, particularly towards vulnerable members of society, including orphans and widows. He reminded them that those who show mercy to others will also receive mercy.
Reflecting on the Beatitude of peacemakers, Fr. Kwitonda encouraged the faithful to become instruments of peace by doing everything within their power to promote harmony and reconciliation in their families, communities and society.
He challenged Christians to examine their contribution to the lives of those around them, asking: “Is my presence a blessing among the people with whom I live? Are we sources of blessings and peace to others?”
He also reflected on the Beatitude concerning those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, noting that the saints endured suffering and persecution but remained firm in their faith and focused on their heavenly goal.
Fr. Kwitonda prayed for God’s grace to dwell in the hearts of all Christians so that they may remain steadfast in faith, overcome life’s challenges and continue striving towards holiness.
Concluding his homily, he explained that the Solemnity of All Saints celebrates the Church Triumphant, comprising those who have attained the glory of heaven. He described Christians still living on earth as the Pilgrim Church, which continues its journey towards eternal life and needs God’s grace and the prayers of the saints.
He further reminded the faithful that Monday, November 2, marks the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), when the Church remembers and prays for the departed members of the Church, traditionally referred to as the Suffering Church.