With children around the country still delighting over (or feeling sick from) their Halloween haul last night — it seems the celebrating is over.
But not for Christians and Catholics.
November 1 marks a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church to celebrate the feast of All Saints’ Day.
The solemn celebration is devoted to those who have made it to heaven and therefore are saints.
Much of the Christian inspiration for Halloween actually comes from All Hallows’ Eve — the vigil of the feast of All Hallows’ Day, which is another name for All Saints’ Day.
It is the responsibility of all believers to reach for sanctity in their own lives.
The celebration is in memory of the great saints who have achieved heaven through their good works here on Earth.
For the faithful, it’s a moment to pause among busy, jampacked days — and look to the saints’ examples.
“956. The intercession of the saints. “Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in HEAVEN fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness…. They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us…” —Catechism https://t.co/mRvMKHgypX
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) November 1, 2018
#PopeFrancis: Saints are in heaven & earth! They include people who are your true friends, those who understand, help & want what is best for you. #AllSaintsDay pic.twitter.com/xFy2VL42n1
— Catholic News Service (@CatholicNewsSvc) November 1, 2018
Happy Solemnity of All Saints!
Let’s rejoice in God's gift of communion with our heavenly brothers & sisters! Amen.
All saints, pray for us! #AllSaintsDay pic.twitter.com/syUohkujsC— Mary Mallon (@MarycMallon) November 1, 2018
“As Pope Francis reminded us in his homily of several years ago: ‘The call to holiness is directed to everyone and must be received from the Lord in a spirit of faith,'” Fr. Michael Sliney, a Catholic priest based in Westchester County, New York, told LifeZette.
“Sanctity is not only reserved for priests and nuns,” he said.
“Christ needs everyone’s help to make a dent in today’s secular world.”
He added, “It comes down to connecting to the Heart of Jesus through daily prayer and allowing His love to shine through you.”
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The religious feast is important in the Catholic Church.
It’s one of the rare holy days of obligation — meaning Catholics must attend Mass on these days.
But this feast is larger than just that one requirement.
It is a solemn day to remember and look to the saints for their example of lives lived for God and foir His glory.
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It is the responsibility of all believers to reach for sanctity in their own lives.
Each of us — every single one of us, no matter our background, the details of our lives, where we are in our personal faith journey, or our personal relationship with God — is called to holiness.
And check out this video just below:
This piece previously appeared in LifeZette and has been updated.
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