Wednesday, November 02, 2005
All Souls Day
Often lost in the shuffle of modern life, All Souls Day is an important day for Catholics that, unfortunately, has lost its meaning for many. On this All Souls Day of November 2, 2005, Catholics should be reminded of the fact that there are many in purgatory who no longer can help themselves in the way they were able to when they were part of our temporal realm. Thus, it is important for us to pray for them so that the tradition remains solidly in place when we need their prayers when most of us find ourselves in their shoes (so to speak).
It is also important, as an act of Christian charity, to pray for those who have no one else to pray for them. We need not know their names, but God will understand the intentions of our prayers and act accordingly.
We can go beyond just praying for the dead by having Masses offered for specific and general deceased members of our Christian community. There is no better offering for these souls than a Mass. Additionally, the nominal donation (ususally $10) to the priest and parish helps support our underfunded parishes and priests.
Do not forget that the faithfully departed can also pray for you. Freed from the bonds of purgatory, their thanks will be in prayers that will help you here and in the hereafter.
May the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace.
It is also important, as an act of Christian charity, to pray for those who have no one else to pray for them. We need not know their names, but God will understand the intentions of our prayers and act accordingly.
We can go beyond just praying for the dead by having Masses offered for specific and general deceased members of our Christian community. There is no better offering for these souls than a Mass. Additionally, the nominal donation (ususally $10) to the priest and parish helps support our underfunded parishes and priests.
Do not forget that the faithfully departed can also pray for you. Freed from the bonds of purgatory, their thanks will be in prayers that will help you here and in the hereafter.
May the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace.
