Recently after a Baptism, someone asked:   "Why do we pray the Litany of the Saints?"

Well, the chanting of the Litany of the Saints --- usually it is only nowadays chanted during the Easter Vigil and at Ordinations, and just recited during Baptisms --- has always been one of the unique moments during the Rite of Baptism and during the Rite of Ordination.   

The Litany reminds us of the long history of faith that is the real fabric of our Church.    If you know the history of just a few of those Saints' lives mentioned in the Litany, you get a feel for the struggle and the courage and the faith that comes down to us through the ages and is actually the foundation of our own faith.

Saints are models of fidelity to the Gospel.    They are models of determination to live as Disciples of Christ.     They are models of faith, hope and charity.     We are part of that community of faith.    By chanting the Litany of the Saints, we make the memory of those Saints present.    It is the Church universal and the Church of all ages of mankind into which we are baptized, into which a man is ordained.     With that same Church, we share in the Eucharist.     With that same Church, we are the Body of Christ living and breathing in the world today.     Each one of us takes our place within the Church and carries on the Mission and the Work of Jesus in community with all the disciples of Christ: past, present and future.     The Litany of the Saints is but a sampling of the great men and women whose holiness and faith is our heritage.     So!   Chant proudly!      They are our heroes!      They are models for us of Christian commitment and living!

During the Rites of Baptism and Ordination, we call upon the Saints of God to be with those being baptized, with those being ordained.      During the Ordination Rite, the man/men being ordained to the Order of Deacon, Presbyter or Episcopate lay prostrate on the floor while the Litany of Saints is chanted.   
 
We name ourselves after someone who has won the race and gained the crown of glory with God.   That is why we are baptized with the name of a Saint.     Today the whole community of faith remembers in a special way St. John the Baptist.     Do you know the history of the Patron Saint after whom you were named?     Do you ever celebrate your Patron Saint's feast day?    In many Catholic cultures, the celebration of anyone's Patron Saint's Day is much more important, and is celebrated to a greater degree, than that person's birthday.      Do you know the date of your Patron Saint's feast?