All Saints Day / All Souls Day

10-29-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

The end of October and first days of November take on a special focus in the Church as we celebrate All Hallows’ Eve on October 31st, All Saints Day on November 1st and All Souls Day on November 2nd. They are days that help us to focus on the Communion of Saints—”the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers” (Paul VI, CPG 30).

The instructions for the funeral rites of the Church states the following, “At the funeral rites, especially the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in one great communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the dead are still one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession.”

Thus in a special way we as Catholics take this time to recognize the reality of the spiritual bond that continues with our deceased loved ones and with all the saints. WE are part of the communion of saints in the Church. November 1st—All Saints is a Holy Day of Obligation or opportunity because it reminds us of being part of this great community in our journey of faith. All Souls Day allows us to remember deceased family and friends in our daily prayers and especially in the offering of the Mass. For our Hispanic/Latino brothers and sisters, it is Dia de los Muertos, a time for family altars with pictures, food and great remembrance of loved ones who have passed from this life to the next.

Let us in a special way remember members of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux who have died in Christ. May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Grace and peace in Christ,

Fr. Fred