Remembering and Praying....

 

 

 

Today, the Feast of All Souls, we pray in a special way for our loved ones who have died. We pray for all the souls in purgatory, that they may soon come to know the joy of heaven.

 

 

 

 

After our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd class this morning, one of the moms treated us all to "Soul Cakes" ... aka donuts! An ancient English tradition tells of beggars asking for these round cakes in exchange for prayers for the dead. You can read about the tradition of eating donuts on All Souls Day here. 

 

 

 

 

After seeing something similar on Pinterest, I made this simple prayer candle for our family. Around the sides and back of the candle, I wrote the names of our family members and friends who have died.

At dinner tonight we said special prayers for All Souls Day. We ended up talking quite a bit about purgatory and life after death. These catechetical conversations around the dinner table are so sweet and special.

At the grocery store this afternoon Ray spotted a box of "skull" cupcakes on the clearance rack... leftover from Halloween. He was shocked when I agreed to purchase them. We used this special dessert to introduce some of the customs that make up the hispanic celebration of "The Day of the Dead." Rather than being a sad or gruesome occasion, this day is truly a celebration of the lives and memories of loved ones who have died. The Hispanic people go all with elaborate decorations, foods, and traditions to honor the dead. Some of the traditions are explained here.

We have traditionally planted flower bulbs on All Soul's Day. We didn't get to that today.... but it's on our weekend to-do list.

Please join us throughout this month in praying for all who have died.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord;

And let perpetual light shine upon them.

May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Amen

O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy gifts,

look down upon the suffering souls in purgatory.

Remember not their offenses and negligences,

but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity.

Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires

that they may be made worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory.

May they soon be united with Thee

and hear those blessed words which will call them to their heavenly home:

"Come, blessed of My Father,

take possession of the kingdom

prepared for you from the foundation of the world."