Today, we the Church observe All Souls Day and we commemorate the faithful departed and we remember them in our prayers and especially at Mass.
Yesterday, we the Church, joined with all the Saints who already rejoice in heaven, and today we unite ourselves spiritually with all those who are being purified in Purgatory, so that they may join the saints and angels of the heavenly city in time to come.
Today, as we remember our departed loved ones and the faithful departed, we not only call to mind their memory, but more importantly we also offer Mass and prayers for them.
That is indeed a great act of faith in that we believe that our prayers can help those in Purgatory and that one day they too, will enter the heavenly city and enjoy eternal rest and peace.
This act of faith stems from our belief in the Resurrection, that Jesus died and rose again, and that God is God not of the dead but of the living.
Indeed, the departed do not just vanish out of sight and hence out of mind. In faith and in prayer, we are connected to them and it is by the love of God that we the living are united with the departed.
Visiting the departed at the cemetery or at the columbarium is a very profound sign that we are still in relationship with the departed as well as an affirmation of the fact that they are spiritually alive.
Although death leaves a heartache no one can heal, yet prayers offered with love leave a memory for the departed that no one can steal.
Yet, let us remember that "death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come" (Tagore).
May our departed loved ones, and the faithful departed, rest in God's peace and may eternal light shine on them.
Indeed, the departed do not just vanish out of sight and hence out of mind. In faith and in prayer, we are connected to them and it is by the love of God that we the living are united with the departed.
Visiting the departed at the cemetery or at the columbarium is a very profound sign that we are still in relationship with the departed as well as an affirmation of the fact that they are spiritually alive.
Although death leaves a heartache no one can heal, yet prayers offered with love leave a memory for the departed that no one can steal.
Yet, let us remember that "death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come" (Tagore).
May our departed loved ones, and the faithful departed, rest in God's peace and may eternal light shine on them.