Celebrating The Feast of All Saints While Praying for All Souls.
Dear Parishioners,
"For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord." (Romans 14:8)
As the Church enters the month of November, we are invited to reflect deeply on both our mortality and our hope of eternal glory. The twin feasts of All Saints (Nov. 1st) and All Souls (Nov. 2nd) proclaim our belief in the communion of saints—that we are bound in faith and love to those who have gone before us.
All Saints Day
Originating in Ireland and spread by Irish monks to the continent, All Saints Day celebrates the “great cloud of witnesses” who now live in the presence of God. These holy men and women are not distant figures, but friends and intercessors, part of our spiritual family. Their lives inspire us, their prayers support us, and their triumph assures us of our own calling to holiness.
All Souls Day
Rooted in the monastic tradition of Cluny in France, All Souls Day focuses our prayers on those who have died, especially those in need of purification. This solemn day reminds us that death does not sever our bonds of love and faith. The Church encourages us to visit cemeteries, prayers, and especially the celebration of the Holy Mass. On this day, priests may offer three Masses, underlining the Church’s deep care for the faithful departed.
The Communion of Saints
These feasts are not merely about memory—they express the reality that we are one family in Christ: The Church militant (on earth), the Church suffering (in purgatory), and the Church triumphant (in heaven). When we pray for the dead, we affirm this communion. Our prayers assist them, and they, in turn, intercede for us.
In this sacred season, let us remember:
· To honor the saints by following their example.
· To pray for the souls in purgatory, who await the fullness of God’s presence.
To reflect on our own mortality, preparing our hearts for eternal life.
“It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead.” – 2 Maccabees 12:46
“We are all one family in God, separated for a time by death but who will be together again someday.”
Sincerely Yours In Christ,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
