| "This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true." John 21:24 |
| "The Catholic Miscellany" November 9, 2006 “All Saints’, All Souls’ observances teach that no Christian walks alone” By The Rev. Mr. Jeff Kirby |
This past year my family lost a beloved aunt who always brought a little laughter and joy to all who knew her. Aunt Dottie was mentally
sharp and a pleasure to be around.
The church celebrated the feast days of All Saints’ and All Souls’ recently. As a pair of back-to-back, solemn observances, they seek to
teach a single lesson: no Christian walks alone.
Aunt Dottie and other loved ones who have died came to mind during these feasts. It was an appropriate time to remember and pray for her.
All Saints’ is meant to remind us of our numerous older brothers and sisters in heaven. In his All Saints’ Day Mass, Pope Benedict XVI
preached that “the saints are not a restricted caste of elect but a crowd without number.”
He recalled that, along with the many canonized saints, “there are many saints whose faces and names we do not know.” We all probably
know many who are in that universally unnamed, yet holy group.
Simply defined by Pope Benedict, a saint is anyone who listens to Jesus, follows him, and does not lose heart in the face of difficulties.
All Souls’ reminds us of our many loved ones who are in purgatory and being purified for entrance into heaven. Through the Blood of Jesus
Christ, they are being cleansed for their existence in the presence of our all-holy God. We pray for them here on earth, knowing that through
the mercy of God, our intercession helps and consoles them.
In these two feasts, we see the full church as established by Jesus Christ. It consists of us, the pilgrim church on earth, the church
triumphantly living in heaven, and the church redemptively suffering in purgatory. It is one church, each member assisting and encouraging
the other. Neither death nor time have any power when confronted by the resurrection of Christ and the mystery of his Body, the church.
We all walk together.
During the month of November, and throughout the year, we should strive to come to a greater awareness of God’s presence and the
enduring fellowship of the many members of the church who are always with us.
Rev. Mr. Jeff Kirby is a deacon of the Diocese of Charleston, studying moral theology in Rome.
sharp and a pleasure to be around.
The church celebrated the feast days of All Saints’ and All Souls’ recently. As a pair of back-to-back, solemn observances, they seek to
teach a single lesson: no Christian walks alone.
Aunt Dottie and other loved ones who have died came to mind during these feasts. It was an appropriate time to remember and pray for her.
All Saints’ is meant to remind us of our numerous older brothers and sisters in heaven. In his All Saints’ Day Mass, Pope Benedict XVI
preached that “the saints are not a restricted caste of elect but a crowd without number.”
He recalled that, along with the many canonized saints, “there are many saints whose faces and names we do not know.” We all probably
know many who are in that universally unnamed, yet holy group.
Simply defined by Pope Benedict, a saint is anyone who listens to Jesus, follows him, and does not lose heart in the face of difficulties.
All Souls’ reminds us of our many loved ones who are in purgatory and being purified for entrance into heaven. Through the Blood of Jesus
Christ, they are being cleansed for their existence in the presence of our all-holy God. We pray for them here on earth, knowing that through
the mercy of God, our intercession helps and consoles them.
In these two feasts, we see the full church as established by Jesus Christ. It consists of us, the pilgrim church on earth, the church
triumphantly living in heaven, and the church redemptively suffering in purgatory. It is one church, each member assisting and encouraging
the other. Neither death nor time have any power when confronted by the resurrection of Christ and the mystery of his Body, the church.
We all walk together.
During the month of November, and throughout the year, we should strive to come to a greater awareness of God’s presence and the
enduring fellowship of the many members of the church who are always with us.
Rev. Mr. Jeff Kirby is a deacon of the Diocese of Charleston, studying moral theology in Rome.