Dear Columban Friends,
Reflecting on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day offers a profound opportunity to contemplate both mortality and the lives of exemplary individuals who have lived before us.
All Saints' Day, celebrated on November 1, honors all the saints, known and unknown, recognized by the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations. It celebrates those individuals who have lived exceptionally holy lives, serving as inspirations and role models for the faithful. All Saints' Day reminds us of the diversity of saintly lives and the varied paths to sanctity, encouraging us to emulate their virtues and seek spiritual growth.
All Souls' Day, celebrated on November 2, is a day dedicated to remembering and praying for the souls of all the faithful departed. It invites us to reflect on the transient nature of life and the belief in the afterlife. This day encourages us to think about our loved ones who have passed away, offering prayers for their souls and contemplating the universal human experience of death.
Together, these two days form a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of life and death, faith and spirituality. They prompt us to consider our own mortality and the impact of our lives on others. They invite us to reflect on the meaning of virtue, compassion, and service, as exemplified by the saints, and to extend our prayers and thoughts to those who have departed.
Moreover, these observances are also occasions for community and solidarity, as believers come together in prayer, reflection, and shared remembrance. They emphasize the continuity of faith across generations and cultures, uniting believers in a collective act of reverence and gratitude.
In essence, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day encourage us to pause, reflect, and deepen our spiritual awareness. They remind us of the universal human experience of life and death, the importance of faith and community, and the enduring influence of exemplary individuals who have left a lasting impact on humanity.
During November, our Columban priests will offer special prayers for you and your intentions. This will include the deceased members of your family, your sick relatives and friends, and all the intentions of your heart. To make your and our prayers more specific, we encourage you to list your intentions on the enclosed slip and return it to us. Or, please fill out an online form with your intentions.
I hope that the months of November and December are joyful and graced times for you and your families and that you find comfort and strength in the memory of those who have gone before you. My missionary hope is that our empathy will eventually grow to include everyone. As always, I will ask God to reward you for continuing to support us.
Gratefully yours in Christ,
The Missionary Society of St. Columban is entrusted by the Holy Father with part of the Church’s mission to spread the Faith and saving work of Christ.” (Vat.II) The Society works under the guidance of the Sacred Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and under the leadership of the bishops. We are listed in the U.S. Official Catholic Directory published annually by P.J. Kennedy and Sons. As such, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service recognizes us as a religious not-for-profit corporation, therefore contributions to our work are tax deductible. We employ no outside professional fund-raisers and pay no commissions.