02/11 ALL SOULS

On NOVEMBER 2nd the Church celebrates the memorial of ALL SOULS.

Here we remember and pray for all the ‘faithful departed’ that aren’t formally recognised as Saints by the Church. Often this includes those people close to us - our family and friends who have died.

The liturgical colour of this feast is violet. Violet is the colour of preparation, and we see it used in Advent and Lent whilst we prepare for Christmas and Easter. On All Souls Day, we pray for the souls who are not yet ready for the full glory of heaven and are being prepared in purgatory.

Our Catholic faith offers us the hope and comfort that we are saved from the suffering of this world and the effects of sin and will live in the eternal peace of the presence of God. Purgatory is the understanding that whilst we will die imperfect and far from ready for Heaven, the grace of God and the merits of the death of Christ are far greater than our sin.

Let us pray for all who have died:

Eternal rest, grant unto them O God,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.