Today is All Souls’ Day. The commemoration of all the faithful departed is celebrated by the Church on 2 November, the day after the feast day of All Saint's Day (1st November) where Christians remember all the known and nameless saints and martyrs who lived and died for God.
"Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them, O Lord,
and Let the Perpetual Light Shine Upon Them."
and Let the Perpetual Light Shine Upon Them."
This is a special day where in an exceptional way I remember all my dear ones who have passed leave ahead of me and who already have rejoiced in heaven, on how they have touched my life. As I celebrate this day, I lit candles and offered prayers to my dad who have died ten years ago, relatives and friends and also not forgetting to offer prayers to all those who still groan in purgatory, so that they may soon join the inhabitants of the heavenly place.
On this most special Feast Day of faith, prayer and remembrance,
we invite you in the words of The Servant of God, Pope John Paul II…
we invite you in the words of The Servant of God, Pope John Paul II…
“…it is the pious tradition during these days for the faithful to go visit the graves of their dear ones
and to pray for them.”
and to pray for them.”
Normally in the Philippines, All Souls' Day is being celebrated as early as November 1 and has more of a family-reunion environment. This festival is called Todos los Santos (All Saints Day), Undas (from Spanish andas), or Araw ng mga Patay (Day of the Dead). Next to Christmas and Holy Week, All Souls' Day is considered a very important holiday by many Filipinos. People gathered in cemeteries to pay respects to their loved ones. Prayers are offered and mass services are officiated to honour parishioners who have passed away in the course of the year.
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