NOVEMBER 1 - ALL SAINTS DAY
On this special feast day
Catholics celebrate all of the saints, known and unknown.
Most known saints have a feast day on the Catholic calendar
(often the date of their death),
though not all of those are observed.
Saints who have not been canonized
(who are in Heaven, but the Church doesn't yet know it)
have no particular feast day.
In a special way, All Saints Day is their feast.
Why November 1?
Pope Gregory III (731-741) established this date,
when he consecrated a chapel in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome
to all of the martyrs.
He decreed that priests should celebrate the Feast of All Saints annually.
Originally confined to the diocese of Rome,
a later pope, Gregory IV (827-844)
extended this celebratory day to the entire Church.
Being in the fullness of grace with God, as was Mary here on earth,
the saints feel in themselves the love that God has for every person created. Every saint loves us with a more perfect and pure love
than any person here on earth can have -
so if we ask friends and family to pray for us, why wouldn't we ask the saints?
They are not resting and waiting to see who comes through the Pearly Gates -
they choose to actively work for the salvation of our souls, as does God.
Rest comes after the Second Coming.
Pray the Litany of Saints at this video link below:
