The Commemoration of all of the Faithful Departed It is very significant and appropriate that after the Solemnity of All Saints, the Liturgy has us celebrate the Commemoration of all of the Faithful Departed. The communion of saints, which we profess in the Creed, is a reality that is constructed here below, but is fully made manifest when we will see God as he is (I Jn 3: 2). It is the reality of a family bound together by deep bonds of spiritual solidarity that unites the faithful departed to those who are pilgrims in the world. It is a mysterious but real bond, nourished by prayer and participation in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. In the Mystical Body of Christ the souls of the faithful meet, overcoming the obstacle of death; they pray for one another, carrying out in charity an intimate exchange of gifts. In this dimension of faith one understands the practice of offering prayers of suffrage for the dead, especially in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, memorial of Christs Pasch which opened to believers the passage to eternal life. Dear friends, may the traditional visit of these days to the tombs of our dear departed be an occasion to fearlessly consider the mystery of death and to cultivate that constant vigilance which prepares us to meet it serenely. The Virgin Mary, Queen of Saints… will help us. Pope Benedict XVI (Angelus, 1st November 2005)
Posted on: Sat, 02 Nov 2013 16:19:35 +0000
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