Tuesday, November 01, 2005

The Feast of All Saints

Ah yes! If you're Catholic, you know what this day entails; if you're not, you probably know what this is at least; and if you aren't and don't, look it up. Or ask me nicely and I'll give you a quick run down... *eagerly* was that a nod?.... I'm sure I saw a head cock back there.. Well, too bad, 'cuz I'm wanna write about it anyway.

November 1st, Feast of all Saints aka All Saint's Day. This is the day of the year on which the Roman Catholic Church and Her members honor all the Blessed in heaven. From the lowliest and unknown like Sts. Bibiana, Luis du Lapuent to the great Sts. Michael, Cecilia, Francis Xavier and Joan of Arc. The reasons for this day are many. I'll list the most relevent to my purpose. Firstly, there are not enough days in the year for every single saint to have his own feast day; they are far too numerous. Secondly, though one may not be an official saint, that is, he is not canonized, this is not to say that he not in heaven. Side note: Canonization is the official proclamation of the Catholic Church that a particular individual is indeed in heaven, based on knowledge of holiness in life and miracles after death. It isn't possible to know of every saint that ever lived, but the Church still wants to give the honor due to them, hence the Feast Day.

We know that this has been a common practice since at least 373AD. In 610AD, Pope Boniface VI consecrated the Roman Pantheon to the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs. And 100+ years later, 731-741, Gregory III consecrated a chapel in St. Peter's Basilica to all the saints and fixed the feast on November 1. It was Gregory IV who ordered that the Feast of all Saints be universally celebrated on November 1 (835AD). And so it has been, with all the beautiful ceremonies unique to the Roman Catholic Church.

The vigil of this Feast, All Hallow's Eve--->Hallow's Even-->Hallowe'en->Halloween, is a time of preparation for the feast. Different countries have very different ways of preparing; some with parties and festivities, some with penance and fasting. It is also calls to mind all the souls of the damned; the reality of hell and how to avoid it.

But you may ask, why honor the saints in the first place? Shouldn't we give glory and praise to God alone? Is it a depreciation of the honor we owe to God to pray to the saints as well? The answer I give you is this: The veneration of the saints is not to be mistaken for the adoration due to God. And He Himself is pleased with our praise of those who have followed His call to holiness. The saints couldn't have acheived their infinite reward had it not been for God's grace and assistance every step of the way. They faced the same trials as we do, they took advantage of the supernatural helps He offered them and yes, they followed the example of saints before them and in the process became saints themselves. May we follow their example and praise the saints, which is praising God Himself. This is the purpose of every life; to glorify our Creator.

Blessed be God, in His angels and in His saints.
Mary, Queen of all saints, pray for us.