On Nov. 1, the Feast of All Saints raises up before our eyes not just the canonized saints recognized in the Church, but all those other holy ones whose lives were dedicated to God and the people.
On Nov. 2, All Souls Day, we can look at this day with the perspective that everything is passing away and with the perspective of eternal life. There is pain and nostalgia for those who have passed away. We commemorate our parents, sisters and brothers, friends and those who are known and unknown to us. Every year the list of the people becomes longer. The second perspective is eternal. The author of The Book of Wisdom gives us hope:
“The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.”
Remember to pray for those who have passed away. We can obtain an indulgence, which is “the remission before God of the temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven as far as their guilt is concerned.” (Enchiridion of Indulgences). Christians should do the work of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the “new man.” (Catechism 1472, 1473)
Three conditions must accompany the prescribed act to attain a plenary indulgence:
- The sacrament of confession (either eight days before or after the pious act is performed)
- Holy Communion (on that day)
- Prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (one Our Father and one Hail Mary is the minimum, but any other additional prayers may be added).
Every attachment to sin, even venial sin, must be absent. If one’s disposition is less than perfect or if some of the above conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence becomes partial.
One must also remember that one can acquire one plenary indulgence a day.
Indulgenced Acts for the Poor Souls
Visiting a cemetery each day between Nov. 1 and Nov. 8. One can gain a plenary indulgence. These indulgences are applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory.
A partial indulgence can be obtained by devoutly visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed, even if the prayer is only mental.
Visit a church or a public oratory on Nov. 2. A plenary indulgence is applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory. In visiting the church or oratory, it is required, that one Our Father and the Creed be recited.
Fr. Rafal Duda
Parochial Vicar