Dear brothers and sisters,
Today is November 1st, All Saints' Day. For those unfamiliar with our faith, this day is often overshadowed by the revelry of the previous night, Halloween. However, for us Christians, All Saints' Day is by no means a secular holiday; it is a heavenly feast filled with glory, joy, and profound meaning!
We gather today not only to commemorate those saints who have been canonized by the Church and bear radiant halos but also to honor all souls who have been cleansed of sin and have attained eternal bliss. They are our family, friends, and those throughout history who lived the spirit of the Gospel quietly yet faithfully.
Saints: Our Closest Relatives in the "Communion of Saints"
The core theological foundation of All Saints' Day is the belief in the "Communion of Saints."
This phrase from the creed reveals a great mystery to us: we, the "Church Militant" still journeying on earth; those in purgatory, the "Church Suffering"; and the "Church Triumphant" enjoying eternal happiness in heaven, are one body, all members of the mystical body of Christ.
Saints are our victorious relatives!
They are not unattainable perfect idols but ordinary people who, like us, have experienced struggles, temptations, and suffering. They simply chose the path of God more courageously and steadfastly in their lives. Today, they are in heaven, interceding for us with the clearest and deepest love.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
The saints are this "cloud of witnesses"; they are living testimonies of God's grace present among us, our guides and examples on the path to holiness.
Tomorrow's Call: Do Not Forget the "Holy Souls"
The joy and glory of today immediately direct our gaze to tomorrow—November 2nd, All Souls' Day.
If All Saints' Day is a tribute to the "Church Triumphant," then All Souls' Day is the day we extend a helping hand to the "Church Suffering." We believe that the souls in purgatory, although they can no longer earn merits for themselves, can be aided by our acts of charity.
The love of the Communion of Saints is manifested here:
Offering Mass for them: The merit of the Mass is the greatest.
Praying for them and doing good works: Our prayers can expedite their purification process.
Asking for a plenary indulgence for them: Through the Church's treasury, help the holy souls attain a plenary indulgence and ascend to heaven sooner.
Helping the holy souls is not only out of remembrance for the deceased but also a practice of the greatest commandment of Christian love for our neighbors. When we assist a soul in purgatory to ascend to heaven, they will also intercede for us before God; this cycle of love never ceases.
Invitation: Live Out the Radiance of Saints
Dear friends, the best way to celebrate All Saints' Day is to resolve to live out holiness.
God calls all of us to holiness, not to perform great miracles, but to live faithfully, courageously, and lovingly in our daily lives and ordinary roles.
Let us earnestly pray to the saints today, asking for their assistance:
To lay down worldly burdens.
To steadfastly follow the path of Christ.
To live out love and humility every day.
May we not lose heart in our "battle" on earth, and may we one day join the ranks of the saints, sharing in eternal glory in heaven!