My Friends in the Lord Jesus,

The Solemnity of All Saints, All Saints Day, will be celebrated next Sunday, November 1st. All Saints Day is like celebrating Easter in November! On All Saints day we proclaim the triumph of Jesus Christ, and his saving grace, in the lives of human beings.

This Solemnity of All Saints has been celebrated since at least the 4th century. It was in 610 A.D. that the Pope dedicated the Roman Pantheon as a Catholic Church. As Rome became Christianized, the temple to all Roman gods, the Pantheon, was transformed into the Church of Saint Mary and the Martyrs. It remains a church to this day. In the ninth century Pope Gregory IV transferred the feast of All Saints to November 1st. It has been celebrated on this day ever since.

On All Saints Day we recall some of our favorite saints, our personal patrons and beloved guides. We also bring to mind the power of the Lord’s Cross and resurrection to transform human beings into his likeness. We hold in our hearts today the memory of our own beloved who have gone to the Lord marked with the sign of faith. We live in hope that they are in Heaven and are interceding for us. The Letter to the Hebrews says, “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested…Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.”

November is really the month of hope. November is the Church’s month of remembrance of our deceased loved ones. On November 2nd we celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls Day. We pray especially for all of our deceased relatives and friends. We assist them with prayer in hope of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

All Saints Day and All Souls Day help us to grow in deeper faith of life after death. We pray not only for our loved ones who have died, but for ourselves too. We live in hope that one day we too may be counted among the saints of God.

Let us pray, “Grant unto our deceased loved ones, and to all the dead whose faith is known to you alone, eternal rest and peace.”

Fr. Ron