All Saints' Day

In the Roman Catholic Church the Solemnity of All Saints is celebrated on November 1 in honor of all the saints, known and unknown.

This day commemorates all those departed who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. Catholics celebrate All Saints' Day (and also All Souls' Day on November 2) in the fundamental belief that there is a prayerful spiritual communion between those in the state of grace who have died and are either being purified in purgatory or are in heaven already.

The Church in this great feast honors all the saints reigning together in glory. The purpose for this honor is first, to give

thanks to God for the graces and crowns of all his saints; secondly, to excite ourselves to a fervent imitation of their virtues by considering the holy example of so many faithful servants of God of all ages, sexes, and conditions, and by contemplating the inexpressible and eternal bliss which they already enjoy, and to which we are invited; thirdly, to implore the divine mercy through this multitude of powerful intercessors; fourthly, to repair any failures or sloth in not having duly honored God in his saints on their particular feast days, and to glorify Him in the saints which are unknown to us, or for which no particular feast days are appointed.

On All Saints' Day and in other feast days of the saints God is the only object of our supreme worship, and the whole of that inferior veneration which is paid to the saints is directed to give sovereign honor to God alone. Our addresses to saints are only petitions to holy fellow creatures for the assistance of their prayers to God for us.

In the Philippines, this day, called "Undas","Todos los Santos" (literally "All Saints") and sometimes "Araw ng mga Patay (translated "Day of the Dead") is observed as All Souls' Day. This day and the one before and one after it is spent visiting the graves of deceased relatives, where prayers and flowers are offered, candles are lit and the graves themselves are cleaned, repaired and repainted.

Short Reflection:

Our celebration of the solemnity of All Saints allows us to experience the joy of being part of the great family of God's friends whom we honor as saints. Because we know and believe that God wills to reconcile with Himself the whole of humanity so that together we can share in God's own life.

May the example and prayers of all the saints be our guide to sustain us at every stage of our earthly pilgrimages towards the kingdom of Heaven.

Prayer for All Saints' Day:

Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God,
today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place,
on the Solemnity of All Saints' Day.

May they intercede for us still in journey in this world.
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!