(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria I Classis) – Saturday, 2 November 2019 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Preface of the Dead, Agnus Dei, Communion, Post-Communion Prayer and Dismissal

Liturgical Colour : Black

Offertory

Tradition of the Faith

Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de poenis inferni et de profundo lacu : libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum : sed signifer sanctus Michael repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam : Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semine ejus.

Priest : Hostias et preces Tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus : Tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam facimus : fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam. Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.

 

English translation

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the deep pit; deliver them from the lion’s mouth, that hell does not engulf them, nor will they fall into darkness, but let Michael, the holy standard bearer, bring them into the holy light which You once had promised to Abraham and his seed.

Priest : We offer You, o Lord, sacrifices and prayers of praise, may You accept them for those souls whom we on this day commemorate, grant them, o Lord, to pass from death to the life which You once had promised to Abraham and his seed.

 

Secret Prayer of the Priest


Secret for the First Mass

Hostias, quaesumus, Domine, quas Tibi pro animabus famulorum famularumque Tuarum offerimus, propitiatus intende : ut, quibus fidei christianae meritum contulisti, dones et praemium. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

Mercifully look down, we beseech You, o Lord, upon the sacrifice which we offer You for the souls of Your servants and handmaids, that, to those on whom You had conferred the merit of Christian faith, You may also grant its reward. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

 

Secret for the Second Mass

Propitiare, Domine, supplicationibus nostris, pro animabus famulorum famularumque Tuarum, pro quibus Tibi offerimus sacrificium laudis; ut eas Sanctorum Tuorum consortio sociare digneris. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

Be propitiated, o Lord, by our supplications for the souls of Your servants and handmaids, whose anniversary is kept today, for whom we offer You the sacrifice of praise, that You vouchsafe to join them to the company of Your saints. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

 

Secret for the Third Mass

Deus, cujus misericordiae non est numerus, suscipe propitius preces humilitatis nostrae : et animabus fratrum, propinquorum et benefactorum nostrorum, quibus Tui Nominis dedisti confessionem, per haec sacramenta salutis nostrae, cunctorum remissione tribue peccatorum. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

O God, Whose mercy is boundless, mercifully receive the prayers of our lowliness, and grant, through these sacraments of our salvation, to the souls of our brethren, kindred and benefactors, to whom You had granted the confession of Your Name, the remission of all sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

 

Preface of the Dead

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos Tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine, Sancte Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus : per Christum, Dominum nostrum. In quo nobis spes beatae resurrectionis effulsit, ut, quos contristat certa moriendi condicio, eosdem consoletur futurae immortalitatis promissio. Tuis enim fidelibus, Domine, vita mutatur, non tollitur : et, dissoluta terrestris hujus incolatus domo, aeterna in caelis habitatio comparatur.

Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus cumque omni militia caelestis exercitus hymnum gloriae Tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes :

 

English translation

It is truly meet and just, right and profitable for us, at all times, and in all places, to give thanks to You, o holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, through Christ, our Lord, in Whom the hope of a happy resurrection has shone on us, so that those whom the certain fate of dying renders sad, may be consoled by the promise of future immortality. For with regard to Your faithful, o Lord, life is changed, not taken away, and the house of their earthly dwelling being destroyed, an eternal dwelling in heaven is obtained.

So with the Angels and Archangels, with the Dominions and Powers, with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing of Your glory without end, saying :

 

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam.

 

English translation

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, give unto them rest.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, give unto them rest.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, give unto them rest forevermore.

 

Communion

4 Esdras 2 : 35, 34

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine : Cum Sanctis Tuis in aeternum : quia pius es.

Priest : Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis. Cum Sanctis Tuis in aeternum : quia pius es.

 

English translation

May eternal light shine upon them, o Lord, with Your saints forever, for You are kind.

Priest : Grant them eternal rest, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, with Your saints forever, for You are kind.

 

Post-Communion Prayer

Post-Communion Prayer for the First Mass

Animabus, quaesumus, Domine, famulorum famularumque Tuarum oratio proficiat supplicantium : ut eas et a peccatis omnibus exuas, et Tuae redemptionis facias esse participes : Qui vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

May the prayer of Your suppliants profit the souls of Your servants and handmaids, we beseech You, o Lord, that You may free them from all sins and make them sharers in Your redemption. Who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

 

Post-Communion Prayer for the Second Mass

Praesta, quaesumus, Domine : ut animae famulorum famularumque Tuarum, his purgatae sacrificiis, indulgentiam pariter et requiem capiant sempiternam. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Lord, that the souls of Your servants and handmaids, the anniversary of whose burial we commemorate, may be purged by this sacrifice and obtain alike forgiveness and everlasting rest. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

 

Post-Communion Prayer for the Third Mass

Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens et misericors Deus : ut animae fratrum, propinquorum et benefactorum nostrorum, pro quibus hoc sacrificium laudis Tuae obtulimus majestati; per hujus virtutem sacramenti a peccatis omnibus expiatae, lucis perpetuae, Te miserante, recipiant beatitudinem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Almighty and merciful God, that the souls of our brethren, kindred and benefactors, for Whom we have offered this sacrifice of praise to Your majesty, being purified of all sins by the virtue of this sacrament, may, by Your mercy receive the beatitude of perpetual light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

 

Dismissal of the Mass

Priest : Requiescant in pace.

Response : Amen.

 

English translation

Priest : May they rest in peace.

Response : Amen.

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria I Classis) – Saturday, 2 November 2019 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : Black

Gospel for the First Mass

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 5 : 25-29

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus turbis Judaeorum : Amen, Amen, dico vobis, quia venit hora, et nunc est, quando mortui audient vocem Filii Dei : et qui audierint, vivent. Sicut enim Pater habet vitam in semetipso, sic dedit et Filio habere vitam in semetipso : et potestatem dedit ei judicium facere, quia Filius Hominis est.

Nolite mirari hoc, quia venit hora, in qua omnes, qui in monumentis sunt, audient vocem Filii Dei : et procedent, qui bona fecerunt, in resurrectionem vitae : qui vero mala egerunt, in resurrectionem judicii.

 

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews, “Amen, Amen, I say unto you, that the hour comes, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given to the Son also to have life in Himself, and He has given Him power to do judgment, because He is the Son of Man.”

“Wonder not at this, for the hour comes wherein all those who are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life, but those who have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.”

 

Gospel for the Second Mass

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 6 : 37-40

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus turbis Judaeorum : Omne, quod dat mihi Pater, ad me veniet : et eum, qui venit ad me, non ejiciam foras : quia descendi de caelo, non ut faciam voluntatem meam, sed voluntatem ejus, qui misit me.

Haec est autem voluntas ejus, qui misit me, Patris : ut omne, quod dedit mihi, non perdam ex eo, sed resuscitem illud in novissimo die. Haec est autem voluntas Patris mei, qui misit me : ut omnis, qui videt Filium et credit in eum, habeat vitam aeternam, et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die.

 

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, “All that the Father gave Me shall come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will not cast out, because I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him Who sent Me.”

“Now this is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all those whom He had given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again in the last day, and this is the will of My Father Who sent Me, that every one who sees the Son, and believes in Him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.”

 

Gospel for the Third Mass

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 6 : 51-55

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus turbis Judaeorum : Ego sum panis vivus, qui de caelo descendi. Si quis manducaverit ex hoc pane, vivet in aeternum : et panis, quem ego dabo, caro mea est pro mundi vita.

Litigabant ergo Judaei ad invicem, dicentes : Quomodo potest hic nobis carnem suam dare ad manducandum? Dixit ergo eis Jesus : Amen, Amen, dico vobis : nisi manducaveritis carnem Filii Hominis et biberitis Ejus Sanguinem, non habebitis vitam in vobis.

Qui manducat Meam carnem et bibit Meum sanguinem, habet vitam aeternam : et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die.

 

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, “I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven. If any man eats of this bread he shall live forever, and the bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the world.”

The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” Then Jesus said to them, “Amen, Amen, I say unto you, except you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you.”

“He who eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, you shall not have life in you. He who eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, has everlasting life. And I will raise him up in the last day.”

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria I Classis) – Saturday, 2 November 2019 : Sequence

Liturgical Colour : Black

Dies Irae

Dies Irae, Dies Illa, Solvet saeclum in favilla. Teste David cum Sibylla.

Quantus Tremor est Futurus, Quando judex est venturus, Cuncta stricte discussurus!

Tuba Mirum Spargens Sonum Per sepulcra regionum, Coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors Stupebit et Natura, Cum resurget creatura, Judicanti responsura.

Liber Scriptus Proferetur, In quo totum continetur, Unde mundus judicetur.

Judex Ergo Cum Sedebit, Quidquid latet, apparebit : Nil inultum remanebit.

Quid Sum Miser Tunc Dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus, Cum vix justus sit securus?

Rex Tremendae Majestatis, Qui salvandos salvas gratis, Salva me, fons pietatis.

Recordare, Jesu Pie, Quod sum causa Tuae viae : Ne me perdas illa die.

Quaerens Me, Sedisti Lassus : Redemisti Crucem passus : Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Juste Judex Ultionis, Domum fac remissionis Ante diem rationis.

Ingemisco, Tamquam Reus : Culpa rubet vultus meus : Supplicanti parce, Deus.

Qui Mariam Absolvisti, Et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Preces Meae Non Sunt Dignae : Sed Tu bonus fac benigne, Ne perenni cremer igne.

Inter Oves Locum Praesta, Et ab haedis me sequestra, Statuens in parte dextra.

Confutatis Maledictis, Flammis actibus addictis : Voca me cum benedictis.

Oro Supplex et Acclinis, Cor contritum quasi cinis : Gere curam mei finis.

Lacrimosa Dies Illa, Qua resurget ex favilla Judicandus homo reus : Huic ergo parce, Deus.

Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem. Amen.

 

English translation

The day of wrath, that awful day shall reduce the world to ashes, as David and the Sibyl prophesied.

How great shall be the trembling, when the Judge shall come to examine all things rigorously.

The trumpet, with astounding blast, echoing over the sepulchres of the whole world, shall summon all before the throne.

Death and Nature will stand aghast, when the creature shall rise again, to answer before his Judge.

The written book shall be brought forth, containing all for which the world must be judged.

When, therefore, the Judge shall be seated, whatsoever is hidden shall be brought to light, nothing shall remain unpunished.

What shall I, wretched, then say? Whom shall I invoke as protector, when even the just shall hardly be secure?

O King of awful majesty, Who of Your free gift had saved those who are to be saved, save me, o Fount of mercy.

Remember, o loving Jesus, that for my sake You had come upon the earth, let me not, then, be lost on that day.

In search of me, You sat down, weary, suffering the Cross, You had redeemed me, let not so great a labour be in vain.

O righteous Awarder of punishment, grant me the gift of pardon before the day of accounting.

I groan as one guilty, while I blush for my sins. Oh! Spare Your suppliant, my God!

You who had absolved Mary, and had hearkened to the thief, to me also You have given hope.

My prayers deserve not to be heard, but You are good, grant, in Your kindness, that I may not burn in the unquenchable fire.

Amid Your sheep appoint me a place, and separate me from the goats, placing me at Your right hand.

The accursed having been silenced and given over to the bitter flames, call me with the blessed.

Kneeling and prostrate I pray, with a heart contrite as though crushed to ashes. Oh! Have a care of my last hour.

A mournful day that day shall be, when from the glowing embers shall arise, guilty man, that he may be judged. Spare him, then, o God!

Merciful Jesus, Lord, grant them rest. Amen.

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria I Classis) – Saturday, 2 November 2019 : Gradual and Tract

Liturgical Colour : Black

Gradual

4 Esdras 2 : 34, 35 and Psalm 111 : 7

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis.

In memoria aeterna erit justus : ab auditione mala non timebit.

 

English translation

Eternal rest grant unto them, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

The just shall be in everlasting remembrance, he shall not fear the evil hearing.

 

Tract

Tradition of the Faith

Absolve, Domine, animas omnium fidelium defunctorum ab omni vinculo delictorum.

Response : Et gratia Tua illis succurrente, mereantur evadere judicium ultionis.

Response : Et lucis aeternae beatitudine perfrui.

 

English translation

O Lord, absolve the souls of all the faithful departed from every bond of sin.

Response : And by the help of Your grace may they be worthy to escape the sentence of vengeance.

Response : And to enjoy all the beatitude of the light eternal.

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria I Classis) – Saturday, 2 November 2019 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : Black

Epistle for the First Mass

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Corinthios – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

1 Corinthians 15 : 51-57

Fratres : Ecce, mysterium vobis dico : Omnes quidem resurgemus, sed non omnes immutabimur. In momento, in ictu oculi, in novissima tuba : canet enim tuba, et mortui resurgent incorrupti : et nos immutabimur.

Oportet enim corruptibile hoc induere incorruptionem : et mortale hoc induere immortalitatem. Cum autem mortale hoc induerit immortalitatem, tunc fiet sermo, qui scriptus est : Absorpta est mors in victoria. Ubi est, mors, victoria tua? Ubi est, mors, stimulus tuus?

Stimulus autem mortis peccatum est : virtus vero peccati lex. Deo autem gratias, qui dedit nobis victoriam per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum.

 

English translation

Brethren, behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again, but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal had put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is the sting?’

Now the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, He Who had given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Epistle for the Second Mass

Lectio Libri Machabaeorum – Lesson from the Book of Maccabees

2 Maccabees 12 : 43-46

In diebus illis : Vir fortissimus Judas, facta collatione, duodecim milia drachmas argenti misit Jerosolymam, offerri pro peccatis mortuorum sacrificium, bene et religiose de resurrectione cogitans (nisi enim eos, qui ceciderant, resurrecturos speraret, superfluum videretur et vanum orare pro mortuis) : et quia considerabat, quod hi, qui cum pietate dormitionem acceperant, optimam haberent repositam gratiam. Sancta ergo et salubris est cogitatio pro defunctis exorare, ut a peccatis solvantur.

 

English translation

In those days, the most valiant man Judas, making a gathering, sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection (for if he had not hoped that those who were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead), and because he considered that those who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them, it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

 

Epistle for the Third Mass

Lectio Libri Apocalypsis Beati Joannis Apostoli – Lesson from the Book of Apocalypse of Blessed John the Apostle

Apocalypse 14 : 13

In diebus illis : Audivi vocem de caelo, dicentem mihi : Scribe : Beati mortui, qui in Domino moriuntur. Amodo jam dicit Spiritus, ut requiescant a laboribus suis : opera enim illorum sequuntur illos.

 

English translation

In those days I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me, “Write, blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord.” “From henceforth now,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, for their works follow them.”

(Usus Antiquior) Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls’ Day (Feria I Classis) – Saturday, 2 November 2019 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : Black

Introit

4 Esdras 2 : 34, 35 and Psalm 64 : 2-3

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, et Tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem : exaudi orationem meam, ad Te omnis caro veniet.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis.

 

English translation

Eternal rest grant to them, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

A hymn, o God, becomes Yours in Zion, and a vow shall be paid to You in Jerusalem, o Lord, hear my prayer, all flesh shall come to You.

Eternal rest grant to them, o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

 

Collect

Collect for the First Mass

Fidelium, Deus, omnium Conditur et Redemptor : animabus famulorum famularumque Tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum; ut indulgentiam, quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur : Qui vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Your servants and handmaids the remission of all their sins, that they may obtain by loving prayers the forgiveness which they have always desired. You Who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

 

Collect for the Second Mass

Deus, indulgentiarum Domine : da animabus famulorum famularumque Tuarum refrigerii sedem, quietis beatitudinem et luminis claritatem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

O God, the Lord of mercies, grant to the souls of Your servants and handmaids, the anniversary of whose burial we commemorate, an abode of refreshment, the beatitude of rest, and the brightness of light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

 

Collect for the Third Mass

Deus, veniae largitor et humanae salutis amator : quaesumus clementiam Tuam; ut nostrae congregationis fratres, propinquos et benefactores, qui ex hoc saeculo transierunt, beata Maria semper Virgine intercedente cum omnibus Sanctis Tuis, ad perpetuae beatitudinis consortium pervenire concedas. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

O God, the Bestower of pardon and lover of man’s salvation, we beseech Your clemency, through the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, and all Your saints, that the brethren, who have passed out of this world may together enjoy everlasting happiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Friday, 1 November 2019 : Solemnity of All Saints (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we celebrate the great Solemnity of All Saints as part of what is usually called the Allhallowtide, a period of time when we focus our attention on the matter of life and the life to come, when we look upon the glory of the saints as how we usually celebrate the All Saints Day and also remember our beloved ones who have departed from us, on All Souls Day tomorrow.

On this day, we focus our attention on our great and holy predecessors, holy men and women whom the Church has thoroughly examined and determined to be worthy of the glory of heaven. They are those who have been canonised and declared as saints, as those who are believed to be with God in heaven by the many virtues of their lives, by their faith and dedication to God, and quite a few of them laid down their lives for their faith.

Today as we look upon those virtuous and inspiring predecessors of ours, we must understand well who the saints are, how they can help us in our own journey of faith, and what we can do to emulate their own good examples in our own lives. There are unfortunately many among us Christians who do not truly understand or even misunderstood the role of saints in the Church, and who the saints truly are.

First of all, saints are not equal or similar to gods or deities unlike those of the polytheistic religions or beliefs. We do not worship or adore the saints on the same level as our worship or adoration of God. Many Christians within the Church misunderstood or are confused with this and ended up worshipping the saints and prayed to them as if they are able to help us by their own power and might.

And there are also many outside the Church, both Christians and non-Christians alike who also thought that the saints are worshipped in the manner of the worship of the divine, which is clearly not true at all, and is a gross misinterpretation of our true Christian faith and practices. Instead, the saints are venerated and respected, as those who can intercede and pray for us before God.

It is important for us to take note that while saints are those who have departed from this world into the heavenly glory with God, this does not mean that they have been separated from us. In truth, they are still as much part of the Church as we are part of God’s Church. It is just that unlike us who are still struggling through the challenges and temptations of this world, as those who are part of the Church Militant, the saints of God are those who have triumphed through life and are enjoying the fruits of their virtuous life, as the Church Triumphant.

And as the members of God’s one and same Church, and having once walked on this world as we are now, certainly the saints of God are always thinking of us and praying for us. They want us to join them in the glory of heaven praising God as fellow brothers and sisters in faith. However, they cannot help us on their own power or ability as mentioned, as they are neither gods nor deities.

Instead, when we ask the saints to pray for us, they can then exercise that privilege they have, being closer in the presence of God than us, and having lived virtuously in faith, to ask God for favours on our behalf. This is what true intercession of saints is like, and not as what many have misunderstood in the true intention and purpose of saints in the life of the Church. The saints of God are essentially reflections of God’s light and glory.

There are two ways I can think of in order for us to be able to understand the concept of saints better. Let us all first think of the beautiful stained glasses of our churches, where those stained glasses usually depict the many stories of the lives of the Lord, His blessed mother Mary and also the many saints and martyrs of the Church. Those stained glasses are beautiful, but let me ask this of you, can the stained glass be seen when the whole church building is in total darkness without any source of light at all?

Certainly in that scenario, we cannot see the stained glasses at all, no matter how beautiful they are. They do not give light on their own accord. In the same manner therefore, the saints do not become glorious or mighty by their own power, but rather they embody the power and the glory of God. Just as the stained glass can be visible because of the light that pass through them, thus the saints also reflect the wonderful light of God through their own lives and examples.

God created us all to be beautiful and wonderful, but we have chosen to cover all those beauty and wonders by our sins and rebelliousness, preferring to act in the manner that is contrary to God and His will rather than to obey and follow Him. Compared to the stained glass metaphor again, it is as if we are like the stained glasses that are so filled with dirt and grime that they cannot be seen even with light being all around them.

The saints themselves were not perfect, brothers and sisters in Christ. They were just like us, same with us, as stubborn and sinful as we were, as wicked and unfaithful, unjust and corrupted by sin as we are. But what is most important is the fact that they made a conscious choice in each of their lives to turn away from sin and to embrace God and His ways fully, taking up His cross and followed Him wholeheartedly.

And then now, another way that we can compare or liken the saints to, is like that of a candle that cannot be seen on its own accord in the darkness, for candles cannot produce light on their own. Candles can produce light only when heat comes together with oxygen and the matter of the candle to produce beautiful flame that creates light. This is precisely the light that makes candles very precious, especially in the past before the advent of electrical power.

In the same manner then, let us all see the candles as our own lives. As long as the necessary conditions are not available, or that we prevent those conditions from coming together, the flame will not be initiated and no light will ever be produced from the candles. And thus, as long as our lives are deprived of the necessary conditions for us to be holy and just as the saints have been, we cannot follow in their footsteps.

And what are these conditions? It is the openness to the love and presence of God in our lives, allowing Him to enter into our lives and transform us from once beings of darkness and sin, into beings of light and filled with obedience to God. And as we allow the Holy Spirit to enter into our lives and transform us by our words, actions and deeds, then we will reflect the light and glory of God just as the saints and holy people of God had done.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we must truly be thankful that we have all those wonderful role models for us to follow, all those many saints and dedicated holy men and women. And the greatest among all these is none other than Mary herself, the ever blessed Mother of God. For Mary is the greatest among all saints and the most wonderful among all of God’s creatures, having not just been the Mother of Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, but she was also exemplary in her faith and dedication to God all her life.

Mary’s total obedience to the will of God even at the moment of her greatest uncertainty and perhaps even fear, when the Archangel Gabriel appeared before her bearing the Good News that she was to bear a Child, showed us what true Christian living and discipleship truly means. And she was not just virtuous and righteous throughout her life, but she even followed her Son all the way to Calvary, seeing Him bearing the burden of Cross and having to die for the sake of all mankind.

Mary’s amazing faith and her role as the Mother of God give her the special privilege and status being the one closest to Jesus, her Son in His glory in heaven. This is why many of us Christians have particularly strong devotion to Mary because we believe that as the greatest among all saints and as the one whom her Son loves dearly, she is indeed our greatest intercessor before God, just as she is also the perfect role model for us Christians to follow.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, now having discussed all these, let us all think and discern how we can make our own lives to be holy like those of the saints. Let us discern how we can allow God to enter into our lives and make us to shine brightly with His light so that we too can be examples and inspiration for one another in living our lives with good faith. Are we able to commit ourselves to God and to His path following the examples set by our holy predecessors?

Let us all be thankful for the wonderful gifts and opportunities we have, in having so many wonderful role models in our saints. Let us all therefore commit ourselves to a new life filled with holiness from now on, living our lives according to how the Lord has shown and taught us to live, following His laws and commandments, devoting ourselves in each and every days of our lives so that one day we too may share in the eternal glory of the saints of God in heaven. May God be with us all. Amen.

Friday, 1 November 2019 : Solemnity of All Saints (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Matthew 5 : 1-12a

At that time, when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain. He sat down and His disciples gathered around Him. Then He spoke and began to teach them :

“Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Fortunate are those who mourn; they shall be comforted. Fortunate are the gentle; they shall possess the land.”

“Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. Fortunate are those with pure hearts, for they shall see God.”

“Fortunate are those who work for peace; they shall be called children of God. Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

“Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are My followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God.”

Friday, 1 November 2019 : Solemnity of All Saints (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

1 John 3 : 1-3

See what singular love the Father has for us : we are called children of God, and we really are. This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Beloved, we are God’s children, and what we shall be has not, yet, been shown. Yet, when He appears in His glory, we know, that we shall be like Him, for, then, we shall see Him as He is. All who have such a hope, try to be pure, as He is pure.

Friday, 1 November 2019 : Solemnity of All Saints (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 23 : 1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

The earth and its fullness belong to YHVH, the world and all that dwell in it. He has founded it upon the ocean and set it firmly upon the waters.

Who will ascend the mountain of YHVH? Who will stand in His holy place? Those with clean hands and pure heart, who desire not what is vain.

They will receive blessings from YHVH, a reward from God, their Saviour. Such are the people who seek Him, who seek the face of Jacob’s God.