Nativity of Mary of Mary will have All Saints Day Masses at 8 AM & 6 PM on Friday, November 1st.
Celebrating All Saints Day: A Feast of Unity and Inspiration
On November 1st, we celebrate All Saints Day, a beautiful feast honoring all the saints, both known and unknown, who are now in the presence of God. This special day reminds us of the universal call to holiness—a journey of love, sacrifice, and steadfastness that each one of us is invited to embark upon. It's a feast of unity, where the Church in Heaven and the Church on Earth come together to praise God and remember those who have gone before us in faith.
Why We Celebrate
All Saints Day celebrates the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) who have lived lives of extraordinary virtue, courage, and dedication to God’s will. While we often remember famous saints like St. Francis, St. Therese, or St. John Paul II, this day also honors countless others—ordinary men and women who lived and died with extraordinary love for God and neighbor. These are the unknown saints, the faithful whose lives were full of grace, often hidden in the simplicity of daily life.
A Day for Everyone
The Church teaches us that we are all called to be saints, not by being perfect, but by continually turning our hearts towards God, even amid life's difficulties. The saints inspire us because they remind us that holiness is possible. They faced trials, doubts, and struggles just as we do, but they persevered through the grace of God. Their stories encourage us that, whatever our situation, God’s love can transform us.
How to Celebrate
- Attend Mass – All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, emphasizing the importance of honoring all who have reached Heaven. Participating in Mass allows us to join in the heavenly worship with all saints, giving thanks for their lives and intercession. Nativity will have Masses at 8 AM and 6 PM on Friday, November 1st.
- Reflect on the Lives of Saints – Choose a saint to learn more about or ask for their intercession. Saints like St. Monica, St. Joseph, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Teresa of Calcutta each lived unique lives of faith that can inspire us in our daily walk with God.
- Pray for Holiness – We can pray for God’s grace to grow in holiness, asking for the strength to live as the saints did, to love as they loved, and to serve with humility and compassion.
- Celebrate Our Communion – All Saints Day reminds us of the unity we share with those in Heaven. We’re encouraged to live with a sense of community, supporting one another on our journey towards holiness, just as the saints did in their lifetimes.
This November 1st, let us celebrate All Saints Day with joy, honoring those who have gone before us and asking them to intercede for us. May we be inspired by their example and grow in our own call to be saints, living as Christ’s faithful disciples in the world.