The Solemnity of All Saints

The meaning of the celebration

+ Originally celebrated as a feast commemorating all the martyrs, on All Saints Day, the Church remembers that “great multitude which no one can count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (cf. Revelation 7:9).

+ All Saints Day is a celebration of the fulfillment of Pentecost, recognizing that the message of the Gospel that was entrusted to the Apostles on that holy day has borne fruit in the lives of countless women, men, and children from every corner of the earth who are now with God in heaven.

+ This special feast reminds just hat the call to holiness is for everyone. Not only are we called to be saints, but holiness is possible whatever our age, race, economic status, or vocation.

For prayer reflection

“There is a communion of saint witnessing to the risen Christ that reaches to the far ends of the world and even farther. It embraces people from long ago and far away. It is that immense community of men and women who through words and deeds have proclaimed and are proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus.”—Henri Nouwen in Bread for the Journey

Prayer

Almighty ever-living God,
by whose gifts we venerate in one celebration
the merits of all the Saints,
bestow on us, we pray,
through the prayers of so many intercessors,
an abundance of the reconciliation with you
for which we earnestly long
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Fr. Silas Henderson, S.D.S.