Bianca Ruba | Faith Editor
This week we celebrate All Saints Day (Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2).
All Saints’ Day used to be known as All Hallows (Hallow being an old word meaning Saint or Holy Person) Day. The feast day actually started the previous evening, the Eve of All Hallows or Halloween.
On Saints’ Day, Christians remember all ‘men of good will,’ great ones and forgotten ones, who have died through the ages.
Saints are men and women from all ages and all walks of life, who were outstanding Christians. Some – the martyrs – died for their faith. All of them are honoured by the church.
According to tradition, a pilgrim returning from the Holy Land took refuge on a rocky island during a storm. There he met a hermit, who told him that among the cliffs was an opening to the infernal regions where the groans of the tormented were distinctly audible. The pilgrim told Odilo, Abbot of Cluny, who appointed the following day (2 November 998) to be set apart for ‘all the dead who have existed from the beginning of the world to the end of time’. The day purposely follows All Saints’ Day in order to shift the focus from those in heaven to those in purgatory.
On All Souls’ Day, the Roman Catholic Church remembers all those who have died – not just the great and the good, but ordinary man-in-the-street. Families visit graves with bunches of flowers and in church the names of the dead may be read out on request in remembrance to lives lived, lost and greatly missed.
All Saints’ Day, together with All Souls’ Day, is known collectively as Hallowtide.
Furthermore, Poppy week is upon us -November 11- where we commemorate the souls of the brave soldiers who have lost their lives in the wars and to show support to those still serving today.
The Charities committee will be around to accept any donation given, please give your support to this wonderful cause. Donation proceeds will go to families of soldiers, soldiers leaving the forces and into work and older veterans in need of care and support.
If you are affected by the loss of a loved one and would like some support or someone to talk to, please speak to a member of staff/Lay Chaplain Mr Russell.
