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November 20, 2019

Angela Saldanha: Prayers for departed needed all year

November is traditionally the month to remember family members who have died, but Angela Saldanha reminds us to expand that circle to many others, as well as make prayers for the departed a year-round habit.

Traditionally, November is the time when we especially remember to pray for departed family members, friends and (maybe) enemies. 

Published in Guest Columns
November 4, 2019

Pope Francis recalls all persecuted Christians at Mass in Catacombs

Pope Francis walks through the Catacombs of Priscilla where he celebrated Mass in Rome Nov. 2, 2019, the feast of All Souls.

ROME -- In what he said was his first visit to the catacombs, Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the feast of All Souls with special words of remembrance for Catholics who still today must worship in secret.

Published in Reflections
November 3, 2019

Mary Marrocco: Humanity is enriched by connection to dead

A woman dressed as "Catrina" takes part in a parade Oct. 27, 2019, ahead of Day of the Dead in Monterrey, Mexico. Day of the Dead is a Mexican custom traditionally observed Nov. 1 and 2 to remember family and friends who have died.

How do we become fertile earth?

Published in Mary Marrocco
November 1, 2019

Pray for the dead, gain indulgences for them, cardinal urges Catholics

Pope Francis visits graves of children before celebrating Mass marking the feast of All Souls at Laurentino Cemetery in Rome Nov. 2, 2018.

VATICAN CITY -- The early November feasts of All Saints and All Souls are reminders that God's church exists both on earth and in heaven and that all the faithful, living and dead, can and should pray for each other, a top Vatican official wrote.

Published in Faith
November 2, 2018

Feast of All Souls a time to remember, to hope for eternal life, Pope says

Pope Francis walks through Rome's Prima Porta cemetery Nov. 2, the feast of All Souls.
ROME – The Mass for the feast of All Souls is "realistic, concrete" in calling Catholics to remember the people and events of their past, to consider how they live today and to hope for eternal life with God and their loved ones who preceded them, Pope Francis said.
Published in Reflections
October 27, 2017

Speaking Out: How to make Halloween holy

Students dressed in costumes attend the annual Halloween carnival at Santa Cruz Catholic School in Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 24.
When I was a child, my favourite part about Halloween was stopping at the “magnet lady’s house.”
Published in YSN: Speaking Out
November 6, 2014

We are all His own

A couple embraces at the foot of the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Ontario, Oct. 23. Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, a Canadian soldier, was shot and killed the previous day while on duty at the nearby National War Memorial.

Two days before its crews tidied up the National War Memorial in Ottawa on All Souls Day, Public Works Canada issued an advisory that flowers and other mementos would be removed. 

Published in Peter Stockland