Most of us love the saints, and try to pattern our lives after theirs. We are inspired by the fact that they have “run the race” so as to win. They share in the eternal beatitude of God, and are always there to help us with their intercession. It can be easy to place the saints on a pedestal, thinking that they were somehow given special graces to attain holiness and sainthood that we do not receive. But the truth is we – the canonized saints and us – all share a similar path to heaven, and that is through engaging in the battle of earthly life so as to overcome our inclination to sin and self-love, and love God with all of our heart, mind and strength. On Thursday, call and let’s talk about a saint who inspires you, and the struggles he or she had in order to be given the title “St.” before their name.