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Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Novembe November 2019 I nttheo Adult Faith Formation: Deepening our Catholic Faith & Identity “Christ in Majesty” from the Ghent Altarpiece deep by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, 1427 AD Solemnity of All Saints St. Ephrem the Syrian (373 AD) and in the Our Lord Jesus Christ, 74th homily of St. John Chrysostom (407 AD) and the Commemoration of a common day of remembrance is also King of the Universe All the Faithful Departed mentioned. The Feast of Christ the King is a fairly recent st nd November 1 and 2 addition to the Western liturgical calendar. Initially, only martyrs along with St. John the “Here is the patience of the saints, here are those who Baptist were honored with a special day in Instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI as an keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” the Church. When a regular process of antidote to secularism, this feast day is (Revelation 14:12) canonization was later established, other intended to proclaim in a profound manner saints were added. As early as 411 AD, the Christ's sovereignty over all of creation, Prior to his election as pope, Cardinal Joseph Chaldean Calendar displayed a service that including humanity. Ratzinger said that one major difference remembered saints on the Friday after Scripture tells us that when questioned by between Catholics and most Protestant faith Easter. On May 13th (c. 609-610), Boniface IV traditions is that Catholics pray for the dead: Pilate, Jesus did not claim the title “King of consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the the Jews.” He was a king but not in the way “Few things are as immediate, as human and Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs, ordering as widespread—at all times and in all that Pilate could understand. Pilate lived in an anniversary each year. Gregory III (731- an era of brutal rivalry and would fear any cultures—as prayer for one’s own departed 741) consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of dear ones… The happiness or unhappiness of ruler who could overthrow him. He St. Peter to all the saints and established understood the world to be one in which a person dear to me, who has now crossed to November 1st for the anniversary. Gregory IV the other shore, depends in part on whether I heredity, clothing, title and power defined (827-844) later extended that celebration to a person's worth. In contrast, Jesus had no remember or forget him; he does not stop the entire Church. 1 need of such things for He knew why he needing my love." In fact, praying for the dead is one of the seven spiritual works of Scripture tells us that in his letter to the was born and sent into the world: to testify mercy in the Catholic Church. community at Ephesus, St. Paul referred to to the truth. In Jesus’ realm, the strongest all baptized Christians as saints (Eph 1:1); have no need of intimidation for the In the early days, Christians would solemnize however, scholars note that St. John the “greatest” is the one who serves others. the anniversary of a martyr's death at the Apostle, referencing the Book of Revelation, Thus, Pilate soon realized that Jesus was place of martyrdom. In the fourth century, understood saints to be only those who the most powerful person with whom he neighboring dioceses began to interchange remained faithful and endured persecution, had ever dealt because no action that feast days and transfer relics to share regardless of their baptism. One of the most Pilate could take, including punishment, together in a common feast. Groups of ancient Christian writings is the account of would ever deter this kind of “king.” martyrs who suffered on the same day, such the death of Polycarp – a follower of St. John as those who died under the persecution of This is basically the significance of the Feast – composed after his arrest and subsequent of Christ the King. Those who choose Christ Diocletian, led to a joint commemoration. execution by the Romans. “The Martyrdom Believing that every martyr should be believe in his preaching about the kingdom of Polycarp” lends significant insight into the of God. And those who decide to be a part venerated but not able to assign a specific esteem and reverence shown to martyrs and day to each, the Church appointed a of the realm of Christ the King know their to their earthly remains. For example, the identity comes from God alone.1 common day for all to be remembered. The deep piety of the early Christians is portrayed first hint of this is found in Antioch on the 1 McGlone, Mary M., SSJ. “The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the in how they carefully retrieved Polycarp’s Universe: Like a Son of Man.” National Catholic Reporter. 22 November 2018. first Sunday after Pentecost. In a sermon of www.ncronline.org/news/spirituality/scripture-life/ solemnity-our-lord-jesus-christ- (Continued reverse side) king-universe-son-man. Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada St. NW, Washington, DC 20015 www.blessedsacramentdc.org On Sunday, November 24th at the 9:00am Mass, the church will celebrate “The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechu- mens and of The Rite of Welcoming Baptized Adults Preparing for Conformation and Eucharist.” Please pray for our seven RCIA participants and make plans to join us immediately after Mass to say hello and enjoy light refreshments! Pope declares special Sunday each proclaim it …before the world,” the pope Upcoming Faith Formation year dedicated to word of God said. His initiative is based on a passage Opportunities for Adults of All Ages from Luke’s Gospel: “Then he opened Did you miss it? On September 30th, their minds to understand the Scriptures.” “Advent: Season of Pope Francis declared the Third Sunday He emphasized that “The relationship in Ordinary Time to be dedicated to the Divine Encounter” between the risen Lord, the community of word of God. “Salvation, faith, unity and Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30pm believers and sacred Scripture is essential mercy all depend on knowing Christ and Dec 4, 11 and 18 to our identity as Christians. The Bible sacred Scripture,” he said in his new Part of the new Alive in the cannot be just the heritage of some, much Word series by Little Rock document, Aperuit Illis. Devoting a less a collection of books for the benefit of Scripture Studies. special day “to the celebration, study a privileged few. It belongs above all to and dissemination of the word of God” Join us during the new Advent season as we those called to hear its message and to will help the Church “experience anew look closely at three key Biblical passages to recognize themselves in its words.” 1 how the risen Lord opens up for us the 1 Glatz, Carol. “Pope declares special Sunday each year dedicated to word of God.” recall, recognize, and anticipate the ways Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse. 30 September 2019. https://cruxnow.com/vatican/ treasury of his word and enables us to 2019/09/30/pope-declares-special-sunday-each-year-dedicated-to-word-of-god/ God comes into our lives and our world. Small fee of $8.00 for book. (continued from front page) Questions? Phone 202-449-3974 or email: bones from the ashes: “…we afterwards century theologian, Tertullian, who stated: [email protected]. took up his bones, as being more precious “We offer sacrifices (i.e., the Mass) for the __________________________ than the most exquisite jewels, and more dead on their birthday anniversaries;” meaning, on the day they were anticipated purified than gold, and deposited them in Starting January 2020: “The Eucharist.” to have been born into eternal life.4 a fitting place, where, being gathered A DVD study by Bishop Robert Barron. together, as opportunity is allowed us, The first clear documentation for the Five Wednesdays starting January 15th. with joy and rejoicing, the Lord shall grant celebration of All Souls Day comes from __________________________ us to celebrate the birthday of his Saint Isidore of Seville (d. 636; the last of the martyrdom….” (Ch 18). Along with similar The Western Church Fathers). His monastic rule ancient writings, it is evident that early Gospel of includes a liturgy for all the dead on the day Christians deeply honored the saints as after Pentecost. St. Odilo (962-1049 AD) the supreme example of a true Christian. set a date for the liturgical commemoration Over the years their final resting places ife of the faithful departed on November 2, but A Winter SymposiumL celebrating became Christian destinations for prayer it was not until the fourteenth century that and pilgrimage.2 St. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, this date was officially placed in the Evangelium vitae liturgical books of the Western Latin Commemoration of All the Faithful Coming in 2020 Departed (All Souls Day) is dedicated to Church. This date was chosen so that the ___________________________ remembering those who have died, memory of all the holy spirits, the saints in particularly the souls in purgatory. heaven and the souls in purgatory, could be According to Church doctrine, the soul of celebrated in two successive days. In this Sacred Arts Forum a deceased person goes either to heaven way, the Catholic belief in the Communion Tuesdays, February 2020 5 (for those who die in a state of perfect of Saints would be expressed. The next Art inFormation speaker series will grace); hell (those who die in a state of focus on stained glass, iconography and The celebrations of the Solemnity of All mortal sin due to their choice); or sacred space.
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