Saint Paul on occasion addressed a letter "to all the saints" in a particular place. It is clear from his writing that by "all the saints" he meant all the members of the community that received the letter and not just a small number of the more obviously holy people. The Feast of All Saints, is a great affirmation of Christian hope in Jesus. It holds up before us the ideal of holiness, with the promise that holiness is possible for all. The feast also acknowledges that, besides the great number of holy men and women recognized in canonization, there are countless other saints, who have lived the Gospel spirit in closeness with Jesus and in a deep and steadfast relationship with him. The Feast also celebrates the doctrine of the Communion of Saints, the unity of all Christians, living and dead, where those already in heaven are sources of spiritual help for us and channels of God's grace through their eternal intercession.