Immediately is the Feast of All Saints, which is well known each November 1. By the fourth century, this Feast of All Martyrs, because it was then identified, was celebrated on Could 13. The phrases “martyr” and “saint” initially meant mainly the identical factor — somebody who’s a witness to Christ even unto demise.
The early Christians normally positioned the physique of the martyr who had died for his religion in a tomb that was simply accessible. Then on the anniversary of that martyr’s demise, the devoted would come and pray and rejoice the Eucharist. Ultimately, these celebrations had been held in native church buildings to commemorate not only one martyr, however all who had given their lives for his or her religion. By the fifth century, this feast of “All Saints” was held on the Friday of Easter week.
Nonetheless, within the ninth century, Pope Gregory the IV modified the date to November 1. These Christians who endured torture for the religion, however didn’t die, had been handled with nice respect. Due to this fact, their native church usually acclaimed those that led heroic and devoted lives as saints after their deaths.
The theology of this feast emphasizes the bond between these Christians already with God and people nonetheless on earth. Consequently, the Feast of All Saints factors to our final objective — eternity with God.
In 1484 Pope Sixtus IV established November 1 as a holy day of obligation. The vigil for this feast day was often known as “All Hallow’s Eve,” at this time referred to as by its shorter model. Hallowed means holy (as in “hallowed be Thy identify”). The abbreviated identify for night grew to become “e’en” and that is the place we get the identify “Halloween.”
Slightly than concentrating on witches, ghosts, and goblins, allow us to suppose on those that have gone earlier than us, having persevered in holiness and faithfulness, setting earlier than us the best way unto salvation of our souls. It is a time to rejoice their lives and provides our kids actual heroes that they’ll look as much as and sample their lives after.
From Johnnette Benkovic’s Sleek Dwelling: Meditations to Assist You Develop Nearer to God Day by Day
The saints haven’t any want of honor from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest factor to what’s theirs. However I inform you, after I consider them, I really feel myself enflamed by an incredible craving.
— From a discourse of St. Bernard
Johnnette’s Meditation
Of all of the saints, who enflames me essentially the most with “a tremendous craving” for the issues of God? Why? How can I emulate her or him in a single particular manner at this time?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, anoint us with the oil of joyfulness within the midst of our sufferings and the present of perseverance throughout persecution, that we could run the race of these saints who’ve gone earlier than us, preserving our eyes on the crown of glory and eternity with You. Amen.
picture: Feast of All Saints from BL Royal 2 B XIII, f. 34 from the British Library / europeana (Public Area)