Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints'. We celebrate with those who have reached their heavenly reward. It is a Holy Day of Obligation (unless it falls on a Saturday or a Monday and the Obligation to attend mass is removed for that year) Come and celebrate with us at Masses at 8am or 7:30pm.
What is a saint?
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops defines saints as “persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation.”
What is the difference between All Saints Day and All Souls’ Day?
All Saints and All Souls comprise the two-day celebration of the Communion of Saints – those who are with God in heaven and those who are on their way to heaven. On the Solemnity of All Saints, November 1, the Church celebrates those Christians who achieved spiritual maturity. It is a day to venerate all the holy men and women who have been canonized by the Church. A day later, on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), the Church remembers and prays for the faithful departed: our brothers and sisters who have died marked with the sign of faith. Particularly, we pray for all the souls in purgatory.