The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
Intention: In thanksgiving for all of our departed family and community members and friends, and that the many ways in which they touched our lives will continue to live on in us.
Today’s Gospel | John 6: 37-40
Jesus said to the crowds, “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”
From the Meditation on the Commemoration of the Souls in Purgatory | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
But what makes particularly clear to us how much we are obliged to sympathize with the sufferings of these just souls in their afflictions and what ought most strongly to engage us to help them in all kinds of ways is the fact that the Church, our common Mother, overlooks nothing to inspire us with this zeal in favor of her suffering children, for whom she is full of tenderness.
… Today, then, take part in the spirit of the Church, and unite with her in all the prayers and sacrifices that she offers to God for the relief of the souls in purgatory. Implore for them the help of God with all possible fervor and earnestness in order to have the honor of being worthy members of the Church and cooperators with Jesus Christ in the redemption of these captive souls.
Prayer
Eternal Father, Jesus taught us that to live well, we must learn to do your will. There are days when this is not easy, when our lives are a puzzle that we do not know how to put together. Help us in those moments to be still and look to see your face through our struggles and doubts. Thank you for leading us to the right paths, especially those that we might never find on our own. Open our minds and our hearts to your presence everywhere, and inspire us to give our hands and hearts to the building of your Kingdom. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.