Dictionaries and encyclopedias define a "saint" in several ways: an official Christian saint, canonized by the Roman Catholic Church; a person who displays to an extraordinary degree the qualities of holiness and goodness; and the members of certain religious groups who have so designated themselves (the Puritans, for example, and the Mormons, who are officially known as"The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints").

Roman Catholics observe the days for all the saints in their liturgical calendar. All Saints’ Day was established to honor those martyrs who were unknown and thus had no feast days of their own. Anglicans also observe All Saints’ Day, often with a Great Procession of Saints in the service. Protestants have traditionally not included All Saints’ Day in their calendar. The "communion of saints" is referred to in the Apostle’s Creed in some Christian churches.Although All Saints’ Day is a Christian festival,and the resources listed here deal with Christian saints, the eastern religions also honor saints.

Unitarian Universalists honor a wide variety of people who have exhibited " qualities of goodness." There may be Unitarian Universalist heroes and heroines important to your congregation, such as founders or ministers.

This session includes short stories of Samuel Joseph May, Elizabeth Blackwell, Whitney Young, and Amos Peck Seaman as samples of Unitarian Universalist "saints." Stories of your local Unitarian Universalist heroes and heroines also would be important to tell. Stories need to be told in language appropriate to first and second graders with emphasis on the qualities of "goodness" as identified in our Principles and Purposes.