# Chaplet for the grace to become holy
*2015-06-07*

> Bill Young discusses the accessibility of sanctity through the example of St. William of York and leads a prayerful chaplet for the grace to become holy.

## The Example of St. William of York

Today is June 8, the feast day of St. William of York. St. William lived in 12th-century England and faced a very difficult path toward becoming the Bishop of York. His journey was marked by struggle, and shortly after finally becoming bishop, he was poisoned and died. Despite these hardships, he became holy and performed many good works, including starting several charitable groups.

One thing I notice when reading about the saints is that nearly all of them, just like us, had their daily struggles. If anyone thinks they cannot be a saint, think again. Holiness is not about our own merit, but about God's grace. While we may feel humble or undeserving, that is up to God, not us.

## The Path to Sanctity

I want to share a chaplet composed by the Abbé Benedict, or St. Joseph Cottilegg, which helps dispel the erroneous idea that the path toward sanctity is too difficult or inaccessible. Many people do not aspire to sanctity because they believe that desiring holiness would be a sin of pride. However, St. Paul reminds us that it is the will of God that we become holy. As scripture says, 'May the God of peace make you perfect and holy,' so that our spirit, soul, and body may be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If we recite this chaplet with fervor and a desire to become holy, that desire is kindled in our hearts. The Queen of All Saints will grant us the grace necessary to fulfill these desires.

## Praying the Chaplet

We recite this prayer using rosary beads. On the beads usually reserved for the Our Father, we say the Glory Be. On the beads usually reserved for the Hail Mary, we pray: 'Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, grant that we may become holy.'

We begin with the sign of the cross, the Apostles' Creed, and the Glory Be. Through the decades of the rosary, we repeat the petition for holiness, asking the Blessed Mother to intercede for us. We conclude the chaplet with the prayer: 'May the will of God, most righteous, most high, and most admirable, be accomplished in all things, and be praised and exalted in eternity.'

To finish our time of prayer, we recite the Hail Holy Queen, asking the Mother of Mercy to turn her eyes of mercy toward us and lead us to the blessed fruit of her womb, Jesus.

*Holiness is accessible to everyone because it is a gift of God's grace, not a result of our own perfection.*