The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

All Souls' Day

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 26 Unauthorized Association with the Excommunicated 

Mass: Wis 3:1-9; Resp Ps 23; Rm 5:5-11 or Rm 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40

Beside restful waters He leads me; He refreshes my soul.

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE, SAYS THE LORD. WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME, EVEN THOUGH HE DIES, WILL LIVE, AND EVERYONE WHO LIVES AND BELIEVES IN ME WILL NOT DIE FOR EVER.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

On this day we commemorate all the faithful departed, and pray for the repose of their souls. After Mass today, we processed to the cemetery. After the graves were blessed, our Abbess read the following prayer:

God of tenderness and compassion,

it is for us always to remember your marvels and to implore your mercy, for we are all joined together in your Name. Today in this place of hope, we give you thanks for having created solidarity among us. You desire that the living pray for the dead and you enable the dead to intercede for the living. We thank you for your Son Jesus who has made death the revelation of Love.

We pray to you for our beloved sisters who are reposed here. Accomplish in them the work of your purification. Grant us, by their intercession, consciousness of the eternal in our daily lives.

We remember before you all those who manifested your goodness in loving us. And, we remember also those brothers and sisters who repose in cemeteries of the whole world. Gather them into your everlasting joy.

No one can see you in your fullness without dying but no one can live without being touched by your life. Make us truly alive, awaken us and render us attentive to the voice of your Spirit who speaks to us the mystery of your unfailing Love. In communion with the living and the dead, we thank you for hearing our prayer as we say, Our Father, who art in heaven, hollowed by Thy Name ... Amen. 

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE DYING,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From dear and faithful reader Linda, here at Lake Tahoe. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021