This Sunday, November 2nd, we commemorate All Souls Day. It is a day to honor and pray for all souls. We especially pray for our deceased relatives, friends, neighbors, parishioners, co-workers, and all who shared their lives with us.
The media outlet, Catholic News Agency, stated, “The theological basis for the feast is the doctrine that the souls which, on departing from the body are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, are debarred from the Beatific Vision and that the faithful on Earth can help them by prayers, almsgiving and especially the sacrifice of the Mass.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church also notes that, “Through indulgences the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment resulting from sin for themselves and also for the souls in Purgatory.”
Commenting on this day, shortly before his passing, our Holy Father Pope Francis stated, “Sadness mixes with hope and this is what we feel today in this celebration: the memory of our loved ones, … and hope. But we also feel that this hope helps, because we, too, have to make a journey. All of us will make this journey – sooner or later, but everyone, with pain – some more, some less – but all. But with the flower of hope, with that strong thread of hope that is anchored in the hereafter.”
In addition, on Tuesday, November 4th, at 7 p.m., we will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance. As in the past, we will honor the memory of those loved ones who have died, including those who have died recently. A litany of names and an offering of roses with appropriate lighting of candles will mark this special occasion.
As Catholics, we are encouraged, especially during this first week of November, to visit grave sites as we strive to honor our dead and to bring spiritual peace and consolation to families who mourn for their loved ones.
We can also give thanks for all those who give of their time to participate in our bereavement and grief sharing ministries, and who do so much to assist families in their time of mourning and grief. They provide these families with much comfort and guidance.
As we reflect on the profound words of Pope Francis, we are invited to honor our deceased loved ones by participating in our Church liturgies on these very special days. Details concerning these liturgies can be found in the Parish bulletin and on the Parish website.