This week,
believe it or not, we will celebrate three important days in the Church
calendar. In fact, in the 8th century these three days were known as
Hallowmas, that is, The Triduum of All Hallows. It begins with All Hallows Eve
(Hallowe’en) which is then followed by All Saints Day and ended with All Souls
Day.
In the ancient Church calendar all of these days were dedicated to the remembrance of our beloved dead, in some way, in fact, All Saints used to be dedicated to the remembrance of the martyrs alone, but eventually included all the saints, and All Souls was a day to remember all of those others who have gone before us, especially family and friends.
Before I continue, I want to apologize for not preaching on Zacchaeus, the man short in stature and quite rich who converted, but I think, especially as we enter the month of November, it is important to understand certain Catholic traditions that have been usurped by commercialism and have been lost completely.
In fact, while on All Hallows Eve it is customary to go trick-or-treating, the custom used to be different, the custom was to offer a Vigil Mass for All Saints. And, then after the service the custom wasn’t to come home, exhausted, looking through all our candy, instead, it was to visit a cemetery where one would place flowers or candles upon the grave in preparation and in commemoration of the Solemnity of All Saints.
On the Solemnity of All Saints, as we still do, the Church celebrates all the saints and martyrs, known and unknown, named and unnamed. The Church recalls the Mystical Body of Christ and how those in Heaven make up what we call, The Church Triumphant, and how in calling upon them we are aided and strengthened in our own desire for sainthood.
Then, the final day, the day that reminds us of the importance of praying for all souls, but especially those in Purgatory, is the Feast of All Souls. It is on this day that all priests are invited to celebrate three Masses, one for the faithful departed, the second for their own intention, and the third for the Pope. It is on this day that we remember what is known as the Church Suffering, those souls in Purgatory, which allows to recall how we are known as the Church Militant, that is, those called to pray for the souls in Purgatory, engaged, as we are, in the same spiritual combat of those who have gone before us.
In the ancient Church calendar all of these days were dedicated to the remembrance of our beloved dead, in some way, in fact, All Saints used to be dedicated to the remembrance of the martyrs alone, but eventually included all the saints, and All Souls was a day to remember all of those others who have gone before us, especially family and friends.
Before I continue, I want to apologize for not preaching on Zacchaeus, the man short in stature and quite rich who converted, but I think, especially as we enter the month of November, it is important to understand certain Catholic traditions that have been usurped by commercialism and have been lost completely.
In fact, while on All Hallows Eve it is customary to go trick-or-treating, the custom used to be different, the custom was to offer a Vigil Mass for All Saints. And, then after the service the custom wasn’t to come home, exhausted, looking through all our candy, instead, it was to visit a cemetery where one would place flowers or candles upon the grave in preparation and in commemoration of the Solemnity of All Saints.
On the Solemnity of All Saints, as we still do, the Church celebrates all the saints and martyrs, known and unknown, named and unnamed. The Church recalls the Mystical Body of Christ and how those in Heaven make up what we call, The Church Triumphant, and how in calling upon them we are aided and strengthened in our own desire for sainthood.
Then, the final day, the day that reminds us of the importance of praying for all souls, but especially those in Purgatory, is the Feast of All Souls. It is on this day that all priests are invited to celebrate three Masses, one for the faithful departed, the second for their own intention, and the third for the Pope. It is on this day that we remember what is known as the Church Suffering, those souls in Purgatory, which allows to recall how we are known as the Church Militant, that is, those called to pray for the souls in Purgatory, engaged, as we are, in the same spiritual combat of those who have gone before us.
Incidentally,
this is one of those rare times when priests are allowed to wear black
vestments as a symbol of the Church itself joining us in mourning for our
beloved dead.
St. Faustina recounts a vision she had, whereby, as she explained it, she was “in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls.
They were praying fervently, she says, but to no avail, for themselves,” noting that only we can come to their aid. She then asked them what their greatest suffering was, to which they all replied, in one voice, as she says, “that their greatest torment was longing for God.”
While we all want to believe that every single soul that has died has gone directly to heaven, our faith tells us differently, it tells us that there are people, again, named and unnamed, known and unknown, who are still in need of our prayers. And, while, sometimes, in our desire to believe our beloved dead are already in heaven, we then never pray for them, or stop praying for them, but, in doing so, we do them a great injustice and they remain in Purgatory until someone prays for them, until someone helps them to be released into heaven.
St. Faustina recounts a vision she had, whereby, as she explained it, she was “in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls.
They were praying fervently, she says, but to no avail, for themselves,” noting that only we can come to their aid. She then asked them what their greatest suffering was, to which they all replied, in one voice, as she says, “that their greatest torment was longing for God.”
While we all want to believe that every single soul that has died has gone directly to heaven, our faith tells us differently, it tells us that there are people, again, named and unnamed, known and unknown, who are still in need of our prayers. And, while, sometimes, in our desire to believe our beloved dead are already in heaven, we then never pray for them, or stop praying for them, but, in doing so, we do them a great injustice and they remain in Purgatory until someone prays for them, until someone helps them to be released into heaven.
In fact, the
custom of trick-or-treating is actually Catholic in its origins, it was a
concept simply known as Souling. It originated in Europe, and it happened after
a parade on All Souls Day, it is said, children and adults would go to the
neighborhoods and sing a song, it was known as the soul cake song.
As a result of singing this song, they would be given money, food, drink or any other treat that they might get, one treat, in particular, was what was known as a soul cake. This soul cake was named as such because in giving a child or adult the cake, that child or adult promised to pray for the soul of a family member in Purgatory.
It was what was known as “going-a-souling” and it was a custom completely unheard of in North America, until the immigration of Europeans, especially the Irish during the Potato Famine. As a result, the idea of souling took on an Americanized version whereby children would go to local shops and neighbors to perform a song or poem. What eventually happened was that older kids started to do the same, but would cause mischief if they weren’t give a treat, they threatened to perform a trick if not given a treat, hence trick-or-treating.
As a result of singing this song, they would be given money, food, drink or any other treat that they might get, one treat, in particular, was what was known as a soul cake. This soul cake was named as such because in giving a child or adult the cake, that child or adult promised to pray for the soul of a family member in Purgatory.
It was what was known as “going-a-souling” and it was a custom completely unheard of in North America, until the immigration of Europeans, especially the Irish during the Potato Famine. As a result, the idea of souling took on an Americanized version whereby children would go to local shops and neighbors to perform a song or poem. What eventually happened was that older kids started to do the same, but would cause mischief if they weren’t give a treat, they threatened to perform a trick if not given a treat, hence trick-or-treating.
Yet, all of this
had its origins in a simple concept, the importance of praying for the dead,
and that is what all of us are called to do, especially to pray for the souls
in Purgatory, especially in the month of November, dedicated, as it is, to
praying for those souls in Purgatory. That is why St. Pio would often say: “We
must empty Purgatory with our prayers.”
Therefore, in the words of St. Josemaria Escriva, with whom I leave you with today: “The holy souls in purgatory…remember them often in your sacrifices and in your prayers. May you be able to say when you speak of them, 'My good friends the souls in purgatory.”
-->Therefore, in the words of St. Josemaria Escriva, with whom I leave you with today: “The holy souls in purgatory…remember them often in your sacrifices and in your prayers. May you be able to say when you speak of them, 'My good friends the souls in purgatory.”
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