Religious Education and Social Justice

Heavenly Connections – All Saints Day and All Souls Day

Two significant feasts in the life of the Catholic Church are celebrated this week -  All Saints Day on Friday 1st November and All Souls Day on Saturday 2nd November.

These special days are a reminder that the Church is a community of all the faithful, both in this world and beyond. We are connected in Christ to all those who have gone before us, as we are connected to the faithful here on earth.

On these two feast days, we are invited to pray for all those who have gone before us and all those who have led lives of holiness. 

One of the most beautiful traditions of the Catholic Faith is the celebration of the lives of the Saints. Not only do these men, women and children give us inspiration by the way they lived their faith, and often died for it, they also continue to offer us help in our daily lives. 

Though it is common to say ‘rest in peace’ to someone who has died, for saints there is no rest after death! They are expected to keep busy and many of them are credited with hundreds of miracles.

The Communion of Saints is our Heavenly family. Like any loving family, the saints are always ready to pray for us and with us for our needs. There are saints for every kind of occupation, country and circumstance. 

Prayer from the Solemnity of All Saints

   Dear holy saints of God,

we join our prayers of praise to yours this day.

With you, we sing of God’s goodness,

and rejoice in God’s mercy and incredible love.

Teach us to live as you lived

 –always thinking of others,

always recognizing your weaknesses,

always rejoicing in God’s gifts,

always following Jesus.

Blessed are you, happy are you, 

all holy saints of God.

Pray for us that we, too,

may someday be among God’s holy ones.

Amen

Prayer for All Souls

Merciful Father, 

hear our prayer and console us.  

As we renew our faith in Your Son, 

whom You raised from the dead,

strengthen our hope that all our 

departed brothers and sisters 

will share in His Resurrection, 

who lives and reigns with You 

and the Holy Spirit, one God, 

forever and ever. 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon them.  

May they rest in peace.  

Amen.

Jane Wilkinson

Religious Education Leader