As we approach the end of this season in the Church, and begin to contemplate the Last Things with Christ the King, we experience All Hallow’s eve, the vigil of the Solemnity of All Saints, and All Souls’ – the commemoration of all the faithful departed.
In this month of Remembrance, we are encouraged to pray for our faithful departed, at their graves if we can. See here about a plenary indulgence for doing so.
We may also pray for those who have fought to preserve our religious freedom, for example, at Remembrance Day ceremonies. ‘God of our salvation, we honour those who died in defence of country and freedom. Grant them eternal rest and peace to us who keep faith with them. Lead us to abhor the violence and hatred of war and imitate the example of Your Son, who gave His life to be our peace and reconciliation.’
We recall that Hallow means, to make holy.
The souls in heaven are holy, saints, some recognized and canonized, the rest unnumbered, worshipping God before His throne (Revelation 7).
Souls in purgatory are destined for this, but they are being hallowed. On All Souls’ we pray for their delivery from purification.
We are all called to be saints (see 1 Corinthians 1).
Our Catechism states in §946,
‘the Communion of Saints is the Church.’
Saints are persons in heaven, who lived heroically virtuous lives, offering their lives for others, and even martyring themselves for the faith.
For those of us striving for sainthood, we would do well to recall Revelation 21, “nothing unclean will enter in.”
“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§ 1030-1032).
Learn more at our freely accessible parish subscription to FORMED .
Once subscribed, look for a Catholic Take on Halloween: Remembering the Dead and Celebrating the Saints . And, for a great series on teaching us to number our days wisely, search for the FORMED series Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well .