In language somewhat of a different era, St. Bernard tells us one essential thing. The saints are not made only to be admired! We are all called to be part of "the immense crowd of witnesses" whose great joy is to see one day face the Lord and be like him (1 Jn 3:2). This is the meaning of the feast of All Saints celebrated on November 1.
Why our praise in respect of the saints, why our voice in their glory, why this festival as we celebrate? What are these honors their land, while the Father of heaven, realizing the promise of the Son, honors them himself? Our honors the saints do not need, and nothing in our religion may be useful. In fact, if we venerate their memory, it is important to us than that, not for them. [...] For my part, I confess, I feel that their memory kindle in me a strong desire [...]
The first desire, in fact, that evokes the memory of saints, or more still stimulates us is this: we rejoice in their union so desirable to obtain and fellow companions of the blessed spirits, to be involved in the assembly of patriarchs, prophets of the troupe, the group of Apostles, the huge crowd of martyrs, confessors to the community, the choir of virgins, in short to be associated with joy and communion of all saints. [...] The Church of the firstborn before us, and we could not cure! The saints and we wish we would do any! The fair and we hope we steal?
We finally wake up, brothers rise with Christ, seek the things that are above and these realities, savor them. We want those who wish to run those before us, and they rely on us, accourrons with our spiritual desires. {...] What we must hope, not only the company of saints, but their happiness, so that desiring their presence, we also have the ambition to share their glory, with all the enthusiasm and effort that this entails. For this goal, there is nothing wrong: no danger in such a passion for glory. [...]
And the second wish including the commemoration of saints inflames us see, like them, Christ shows him who is our life, and seem, we too, with him in glory. Until then, it does not appear to us as it is in itself, but as it has done for us: our head, not crowned with glory, but surrounded by the thorns of our sins [. ..] The day will come for the advent of Christ, then we would not proclaim his death so that we know that we too are dead and our life is hidden with him. The head appears in glory, and with them members shine with glory, when Christ will restore our body of humility to configure it for the glory of the head, since he is the Head.
This glory, we need an absolute lust and strong ambition. [...] And really, that we be allowed to hope, and aspire to this happiness, we must seek the help of all my heart and prayers of the saints: what is at- over our forces can he be given to us by their intercession!
Homily for All Saints St Bernard (Ed. Cistercian, 5, 364-368)