Last week, Rosary students, faculty, and guests took part in the annual All Saints Day Mass celebration. The mass contained beautiful scripture readings, songs performed by the Rosary Choir and Music Ministry, as well as a call to go out and remember the saints and their impact on the Catholic Church. At its core, the Mass serves as a reminder of our vocation to live out our lives with the courage, love, and faith in God, just as the saints did.
However, while the Mass, celebrated on November 1, only celebrates the canonized saints of the Church, November 2 (through the rest of the month) is used as a time to remember all those who have passed in the faith, including our own lost loved ones.
According to the Catholic faith, the soul of someone who dies can go to one of three places: heaven, hell, or purgatory. And, while it is not up for humans to decide where a soul is destined to go, Catholicism teaches that through prayer and remembrance here on Earth, a soul can begin to be cleansed of sins and guided in the direction toward heaven.
Rosary Campus Ministry Coordinator and Religion teacher, Mrs. Flati, shared her experience with this special time: “This year, I remember all of my relatives and loved ones who have passed from this life into the next. I remember cousins, uncles, an aunt, and grandparents. Ultimately, we are all here because God calls us into existence, but He also calls us into specific families and those families help shape and mold us into who we are. I suppose for me, All Souls Day is a holy day where I remember and pray for all of my family members who go before me into eternal life. I celebrate it by praying for my loved ones and maybe having a sweet treat to remember the sweet memories.”
However, All Souls Day isn’t the same for everyone. In fact, this holiday is practiced differently across many cultures. For example, Rosary World Language Department Chair and Spanish teacher, Sra. Kappe ‘03, celebrates Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a traditional celebration in Latino culture, very similar to All Souls Day, which honors and commemorates those who have passed.
Sra. Kappe gave her account of this significant holiday: “All Souls Day and Día de los Muertos, and really, the entire month of November is a very reflective time for me. My mom died 11 years ago on November 23rd, so I appreciate this time to remember everyone in my family who has died, especially my mom. I always make a trip to the cemetery to bring flowers to my family members, and I bring my children so that they understand the importance of remembering their family and their friends in Heaven. In my house, I keep a memory table with all the photos of those I love who have passed away. It is a daily reminder to always think of them and pray for them. I love teaching about Día de los Muertos in my classes and connecting it to All Souls Day, so that my students remember their loved ones as well. We set up an ofrenda in my classroom, and my students bring in pictures and special mementos of their deceased loved ones. Even though our loved ones seem far away from us, they really are with us every day.”
Whether it is a prayer shared with family and friends, or a personal conversation with God, it is important to acknowledge all of the faithfully departed.
Furthermore, along with the practices shared by Mrs. Flati and Sra. Kappe, there are also many other ways to celebrate this day: you can light a candle, take the deceased’s favorite gift to their grave, share a thoughtful tribute, or host festivities of remembrance with close relatives.
Overall, All Souls Day has a special effect not only on those who have gone before us, but also those still here on earth today. It gives a sense of comfort to remember those we love and know that they will be watching over us no matter what. So, during the entire month of November, remember to pray for those souls who have departed this world and breathe easy knowing that they are finally receiving eternal peace.
