We believe that all the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one in this life do not unravel with death. For those who believe in your love, death is not the end nor does it break the bonds which you have forged in this life.
These words from the funeral rite are a good starting point for our reflection during the days of celebration of All Saints and All Souls (Dia de los Muertos in Mexico). We celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death and the sharing of the Church as the Body of Christ in that victory.
The saints we celbrate are far more than the formally recognized martyrs, ascetics and religious who have a specific feast day on the Roman Calendar. We celebrate the lives of all the faithful through the centuries and throughout the world who have lived their lives in response to the call of Christ to be His disciples and apostles.
We pray in remembrance , thanksgiving and hope. We celebrate that in Baptism we have been united together in Christ in His Death and Resurrection. This remembrance is an integral part part of our Eucharistic Prayers and a special focus during the month of November. We encourage you to make use of the Shrine of Remembrance to assist you and parish in this important act of our faith.
