Word to the Wise
Thursday, November 2, 2023 - Nov. 2 - The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
[[3 options]; [13 options]; [12 options]]The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But, they are in peace. [Wisdom] If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. [Romans] "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day." [John]
NOVEMBER 2 ALL SOULS' DAY (Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed)
All Souls' Day lives in my childhood memory as a kind of sad day. The focus seemed to be on bailing people out of purgatory. For this reason, priests were permitted to celebrate three Masses on All Souls' Day. The vestments were black and the beautiful but mournful "sequence" Dies Irae, was sung. The decoration of gravesites was part of the observance as well, but it was a very muted event, coming as it did after All Saints' Day.
The mood has definitely changed now. The vestments are white and memories of loved ones who have died are celebrated. Hispanic culture has always been more upbeat about this day in comparison with the Anglo-American. When I was a pastor in San Antonio, All Souls' Day would be festive with families literally spending the day at the gravesites of beloved dead. In addition to large floral arrangements, favorite beverages of the deceased or favorite toys in the case of a child would be brought.
What is celebrated now is the hope of resurrection and life with Christ beyond our earthly existence. This is the continuation of the life of faith we live now. Jesus promised eternal life now when we believe in him and also after this life on earth. Even the "poor souls in purgatory" have this hope. We must leave them to God's mercy even as we pray for them on this day as well as remembering all our beloved deceased. As the first scripture from the Book of Wisdom says, "The souls of the just are in the hand of God..." Today we celebrate our memories of them and our own hopes of continuing life with them in Christ. AMEN