All Soul’s Day—this past week we, as a Church, celebrated the Commemoration of the Faithfully Departed or All Soul’s Day—a time to reflect in prayer on those who have gone before us and have come to their eternal reward. This is not a one-time event; it isn’t a “flash in the pan” if you will. As Catholic Christians we continue to remember all who have gone before—or as the Church refers to them—The Church Triumphant—those who are now in the Divine Presence. One of the ways we remember them is in prayer: prayer at Mass and in private prayer.

We pray for them that they have become One with God; and we pray to them—as intercessors—for our needs before the Throne of God. As Catholics, we believe in the Communion of Saints. That means that while many are never “canonized” by the Church, we all hope to become glorified and live in the presence of God for all eternity. Let us continue this obligation of prayer for our deceased family members and friends: we can celebrate a Mass intention for a deceased family member; they can be remembered in a Rosary or in a night prayer, in conversation with God, and Examination of Conscience. If you place their names on the envelopes in the atrium or vestibule, and return them in the collection basket, I will pray my breviary each day for their intention during the month of November. We keep them alive in prayer because they are alive in eternity.