Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila urged Filipinos to rediscover the true meaning of holiness and “normalize sainthood” in everyday life as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines formally launched its new CBCP Office for the Postulation of the Causes of Saints.
Speaking at the First National Postulation Conference held Oct. 7 at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, he said holiness is not a privilege for a few but a call for all the baptized.
“Let us normalize the idea of sainthood for all, especially among the young people. God did not call the perfect or the ideal — He looked at the heart and the potential,” Advincula said during the “Llamados a ser Santos (Called to be Saints) Postulation Conference 2025.”
The cardinal described the conference as timely and crucial amid the nation’s moral and social challenges.
“It was when times were extremely dark that the Lord called saints to serve as beacons of light amid the decadence and despair,” he said. “We are saints in process, and the Lord is not finished with us yet.”
Advincula reminded the faithful that holiness is not measured by perfection or miracles but by love, humility, and service.
“The Lord is calling every one of us to be saints — to proclaim the light and joy of the Gospel in our homes, parishes, and communities,” he added.
Bishop Renato Mayugba of Laoag, chairman of the new CBCP office, said its mission is to assist dioceses and religious communities in promoting candidates for sainthood and to rekindle public awareness of the universal call to holiness.
“The office aims to help dioceses and communities advance their sainthood causes and to make people aware of this universal call to holiness,” Mayugba said.
There are currently two canonized Filipino saints — St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod.
As of today, the Philippine Church has 22 other causes officially recognized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Of these, seven remain under investigation in the dioceses where the causes were initiated, while 15 are under review by the Holy See, or in what is known as the Roman Phase.
Among those advancing in the Roman Phase are the causes of Venerables Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, Maria Beatrice Rosario Arroyo, Fr. Aloysius Schwartz, Mother Francisca del Espíritu Santo de Fuentes, Sr. Joaquina Mercedes Barceló, Bishop Alfredo Obviar, and Mother Ignacia del Espíritu Santo.
Advincula expressed hope that through the work of the new office, more Filipinos — clergy, religious, and laypeople alike — will be inspired to live as “saints next door.”
He also dispelled the notion that holiness is reserved for those who perform miracles or live without sin.
“Holiness is a lifelong process of spiritual growth and deepening one’s relationship with God,” the cardinal said.
The national conference gathered postulators, diocesan representatives, and members of religious congregations from across the country to strengthen collaboration in promoting Filipino sainthood causes.
Advincula called on the faithful to persevere in their spiritual journey.
“May we raise more Filipino saints — canonized and the ordinary ‘next-door’ saints. May the Lord bless the work that you do. Padayon tayo sa landas ng kabanalan (Let us continue on the path of holiness),” he said.
