By Brea Cannon
Liturgical Rhythm of Life
The Church dedicates the entire month of November to the souls in purgatory. It is an act of love to pray for the souls in purgatory and it fosters a relationship between the living and the dead. Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “The belief that love can reach into the afterlife, that reciprocal giving and receiving is possible, in which our affection for one another continues beyond the limits of death — this has been a fundamental conviction of Christianity throughout the ages, and it remains a source of comfort today.”
In our home, one way we pray for the souls of the departed is to prayerfully assign one deceased loved one to each day in the month — we write the names on a calendar to help us remember who is assigned to each day. Every day we come together, light a candle and pray that in God’s great mercy, he releases that specific soul from purgatory to live with him in paradise forever. This really connects our family to many of our ancestors and relatives we did not know or did not get to know well.
As we approach this month of November, please keep in mind that the Solemnity of all Saints is a holy day of obligation – check for special holy day Mass times at your parish. Also, the Church decrees that from Nov. 1-8, the holy souls’ plenary indulgence is available. In addition to the usual conditions for obtaining an indulgence, going to confession, receiving Holy Communion, rejecting the attachment to sin and praying for the intentions of the Pope, this plenary indulgence may be gained by visiting a cemetery and praying for departed souls. Our love reaches the afterlife but also draws us close to our Lord.
There are many customs around the world for the Solemnity of All Saints and All Souls Days, anticipated by Halloween, as it is known in America. Tradition had it on Oct. 31 in parts of Europe, “soulers” would walk around house-to-house singing and praying, offering up prayers for the faithful departed in exchange for soul cakes. Soul cakes are cookie-like baked goods given out to remind the faithful to pray for the souls in purgatory. In other countries like Peru, India and the Philippines, for all Saints and Souls days, the faithful decorate the graves of deceased loved ones, offer up prayers and celebrate the deceased life by having a small gathering at the cemetery.
November is filled with some other great feast days:
Nov. 1: All Saints
Nov. 2: All Souls
Nov. 4: St. Charles Borromeo — A reformer known for formalizing the first religious education programs for children — Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Think of something in your life that needs reform and pray through his intercession for the help and strength to restore it. You might also send your parish and diocese religious education offices a note of thanks for their work to educate our youth.
Nov. 10: St. Leo the Great — Known as one of the greatest and most loyal popes — through the intercession of St. Leo, pray for our current pope and church leaders.
Nov. 16: St. Margaret of Scotland — Patron saint of parents who have lost a child — take some time to reach out to a friend or family member who has lost a child or offer up a small sacrifice for their pain.
Nov. 17: St. Elizabeth of Hungry — Patron saint of those in hospitals and nursing homes — make a visit or plan to have a Mass said for those in need.
Nov. 21: Presentation of Mary
Nov. 22: St. Cecilia — Patron saint of musicians — send a letter of appreciation to your church choir.
Nov. 23: Christ the King of the Universe — Set the table for a meal and leave an extra place setting and possible paper crown at the head of the table for Jesus — during the meal, reflect on Jesus as King by reading Revelation 17:14 and Timothy 6:11-16.
Nov. 27 & 28: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and St. Catherine Labouré — Consider wearing a medal and praying the prayer Mary gave to St. Catherine Labouré: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” French crepes and pastries are a great way to celebrate these special days.