Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on November 1st, we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints, contemplating the Church Triumphant, which already enjoys the beatific vision in Heaven. The following day, November 2nd, we prayed for the Church Suffering, those souls being purified with love before entering eternal glory. Now, in this Ordinary Time that follows, the liturgy invites us to look at ourselves: we are the Church Militant, the living army of Christ that journeys, fights, and is sanctified on earth. What a privilege and what a beautiful calling!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us this clearly: “The Church on earth is the Church militant because she fights against sin, the world, and the devil, under the guidance of Christ, her Head” (CCC 954, quoting Lumen Gentium 48-50). We are not a social club or a mere institution: we are soldiers of the light, as Saint Paul says: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph 6:11). But this struggle is not gloomy or hopeless; on the contrary, it is a joyful battle, because Christ has already won: “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).

What does it mean to be an activist today?

To be part of the Church Militant is  to seek holiness in the everyday, with the certainty that every small act of love unites us more closely to Christ and to the saints who have gone before us. The Second Vatican Council expresses this beautifully in Lumen Gentium 40: “All the faithful, whatever their state or condition, are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.” Everyone! The pope, the bishop, the priest, the father, the nursing mother, the student, the worker, the sick person in their bed… each one is a warrior for holiness.

Saint Josemaría Escrivá, canonized by Saint John Paul II, lived it with apostolic zeal: “Holiness does not consist in great heroic deeds—which do not ordinarily occur—but in loving God deeply and serving him in ordinary things” (Christ Is Passing By, 2). How encouraging! We don’t need spectacular miracles; it is enough to offer work well done, a smile in the face of difficulty, prompt forgiveness, and faithful prayer.

Weapons of the struggle: the sacraments and prayer

Our strength does not come from ourselves, but from Christ. The Catechism reminds us that “the Eucharist is the center and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). Let us attend daily Mass if we can, or at least Sunday Mass: there we receive the Bread of the Strong  (cf. Wis 16:20). Confession cleanses and strengthens us: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (Jn 6:54).

Prayer is our shield. The Compendium of the Catechism  (n. 566) teaches that “prayer is the lifting of the soul to God.” Let us dedicate time to the Rosary—a powerful weapon, according to Saint Pius V—to Lectio Divina, and to Eucharistic Adoration. Saint John Paul II encouraged us: “Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ!” (Homily at the beginning of his pontificate, 1978). In prayer, the Holy Spirit gives us  courage for the battle.

Fighting together: the communion of saints

We are not alone.  Lumen Gentium 50 tells us that “the union of the members of the pilgrim Church with our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the peace of Christ is in no way interrupted.” The saints encourage us from Heaven! Let us ask for their intercession: Saint Michael the Archangel against evil, Saint Teresa of Avila in spiritual dryness, Saint Joseph in our work.

And let us help the souls in Purgatory with prayers for them: Masses, rosaries, indulgences. As the Catechism teaches (CCC 958), “our prayer for them can not only help them, but also make their intercession on our behalf effective.” It is a chain of love that unites us in the three Churches!

To live activism with joy

St. Paul exhorts us: “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Tim 6:12), but always with joy: “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again: Rejoice” (Phil 4:4). Benedict XVI, in Spe Salvi 35, reminded us that “life is like a campaign which becomes a victory if it is lived with Christ.”

In this secularized world, let us be shining witnesses. As Blessed Carlo Acutis said, “Everyone is born an original, but many die as photocopies.” Let us be originals of Christ! In our families, at work, on social media: let us proclaim the Gospel through our lives and words.

Forward, soldiers of Christ!

Dear brothers and sisters, the Church Militant is not a museum of relics, but an army on the march toward holiness. With Mary, Queen of Martyrs and Mother of the Church, let us fight with confidence. As the Catechism teaches (CCC 2015): “The way of perfection passes by way of the cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual combat.”

Take heart! Christ walks with us. Every day is an opportunity to grow in love. One day—soon, we hope—we will pass into the Church Triumphant. In the meantime, let us fight with joy, knowing that “neither death nor life… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:38-39).

Long live Christ the King! Long live the Church Militant!  Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.