Reflection

All Saints and All Souls Day

This weekend are the feasts of All Saints and All Souls.

Throughout the year, the Church celebrates the lives of men and women who lived lives of heroic faithfulness. On the feast of All Saints, we honour all holy men and women, those we officially recognize as saints or blessed, along with all those who are in heaven and known only to God, and indeed all those faithful still living, who look forward to reaching the fullness of blessedness in heaven. 

Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati were canonized this year.  They have both become popular patrons for teens and young adults. Born 90 years apart, Frassati and Acutis both lived brief but faith-filled lives that saw them devoted to Christ, particularly in the Eucharist, and to those around them.

Through their example, inspire us to place the Eucharist at the heart of our lives, to serve the poor with generosity, and to live our faith with youthful zeal. Like them, may we follow Jesus more closely each day.

A long-standing tradition in the Church is to use All Souls Day, November 2, and the whole month of November to remember those who have died. We remember because life has changed, not ended. At this time, may we pray for those who have died. May we pray for those people who lived among us and somehow touched our lives. May we especially pray for our family and friends, our neighbours and those in the Nazareth College Community who have passed away. May we open our hearts in a special way to those who mourn those who have died.

Throughout the month of November, the Nazareth community will remember loved ones who have passed away in prayer at the 8.10am Thursday morning Masses at the College and at Friday lunchtime Rosaries. Also, prayer requests can be placed in a book in front of the Altar in the Chapel.

Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!

 Holy Family of Nazareth, be our inspiration and our guide.

Jesus of Nazareth, help us to grow in Faith, Wisdom and Knowledge.