By Megan Erbacher, The Message editor
On Nov. 2, All Souls Day, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated a closing Mass for 40 Days for Life at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.
In his welcome at the beginning of Mass, Bishop Siegel noted that on Nov. 1, we celebrated the Solemnity of All the Saints in heaven. On Nov. 2, he said the Church calls us to pray for the faithful departed – for all those who are undergoing the process of purification to see God face-to-face.
As we remember all of our faithful departed at the Nov. 2 Mass, Bishop Siegel noted that we also close the 40 Days for Life. Forty days in which we have prayed, studied and worked to build a culture of life in our Diocese but also in our nation, he said.
Father Tyler Underhill, parochial vicar of St. Benedict Cathedral, concelebrated Mass with Bishop Siegel. Deacon Dave Rice assisted, and Matt Miller served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Mass.
During his homily, Father Underhill thanked Bishop Siegel for allowing him to preach on All Souls Day. He mentioned that the lit candles at the front of the cathedral in front of the Blessed Virgin were there to represent all those parishioners who died in the past year.
“Today, we celebrate All Souls Day, which, in a particular way, is all of those who have died,” he said. “All those faithful departed who haven’t been named saints. Today’s liturgy, in some ways, is kind of like a large funeral.”
Father Underhill noted the opening prayer, which said, “Listen kindly to our prayers, oh Lord, and as our faith in your son raised from the dead is deepened, so may our hope of resurrection for your departed servants also find new strength.”
During the prayers of the faithful, Deacon Dave Rice, prayed, “Lord, for continued respect for all life, especially the most vulnerable, as our Diocese ends its observance of the 40 Days for Life, that through the blessed mother’s intercession, all life may be respected.”
This year, the Diocese of Evansville’s Office of Marriage, Family and Life collaborated with pastors and parish leaders to help coordinate several family-friendly, life-affirming events to observe 40 Days for Life, which ran Sept. 24 through Nov. 2; and Respect Life Month, which is observed during October.
Diocesan Director of Marriage, Family and Life Megan Knies noted that while it’s important to give thanks that Evansville’s Planned Parenthood location closed its doors in early September, which is a significant milestone in our shared mission to uphold the sanctity of life at every stage, we also recognize that the call to prayerfully and actively defend life continues.
The 40 Days for Life fall campaign began with an ARISE Holy Hour at Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville. The music, reflections and silence offered a grace-filled way to invite the Holy Spirit into an important season of prayer and witness, according to Knies.
Other events included a Mass for the Family: Come to the Table on Sept. 30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Evansville. It was a Mass for all ages aimed at strengthening the Domestic Church and celebrating the dignity of life, united in life and liturgy, understanding and participating in the Mass as a family. On Oct. 10, many faithful attended a Respect Life Rosary Walk at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.