It is a tradition in the Catholic Church to honor the saints, those who have gone before us who are considered models for how to act in the world as Christians. The list of saints includes those who are martyred for the faith, in fact, martyrdom is a certain path to sainthood. Many saints have a day on which we remember them. You might know that October 4 is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, or that the Feast Day of St. Nicholas is December 6, St. Patrick, March 17.
The Church realizes that there may be many more saints in heaven whose lives we do not know. November 1 is set aside as a day to honor all of the saints, both those we have heard of and those we have not known. The history of the feast is complex as various practices grew up in different places, but celebrating the martyrs and saints is a long-standing custom.
The term Communion of Saints refers to the spiritual union of all Christians, living and dead. We are all part of the one Body of Christ. We pray in the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in the communion of saints.” We have more than a connection with all the saints, we belong to the same crowd of holy witnesses. We are all called to be holy, called to be saints. St. Paul often greets people as saints in his letters.
All Saints’ Day is a Holy Day in the Church, but this year the obligation to attend Mass is removed because Nov. 1 is a Saturday. Whether you attend Mass or not, reflect on the meaning of saints’ lives in your life. What can the saints in heaven teach us? Consider the Prayer after Communion for the day: “We implore your grace [O God], so that, coming to perfect holiness in the fullness of your love, we may pass from this pilgrim table to the banquet of our heavenly homeland.” How are you called to be a saint in your daily life?
This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day. There are multiple choices for readings on this day, so every church will not use the same ones. There are also three sets of prayers that may be chosen for All Souls’ Day. I hope your parish publishes Scripture references ahead of time so you can reflect before and after Mass on the readings they use.
Remembering our beloved dead is a hallmark of this feast. Many parishes display a Book of the Dead with the names of loved ones and parishioners who have died. Take time today to remember those who have gone before you, those who have shaped your life in countless ways, both good and bad. Pray for God’s mercy on them and on all of us so that we may all meet again at the heavenly banquet.
November 1: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps 24:1-6; 1 John 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a
November 2: Suggestions from the US Bishops: Wis 3:1-9; Ps 23; Rm 5:5-11; Jn 6:37-40
