Solemnity of All Saints| Video on The Litany of the Saints (In Latin)| Visiting a Cemetery (Plenary Indulgence For Visiting A Cemetery)| Daily Meditation| Daily Quote by S. Padre Pio| Divine Mercy Reflection
Solemnity of All Saints
Both Calendars
The earliest certain observance of a feast in honor of all the saints is an early fourth-century commemoration of "all the martyrs." In the early seventh century, after successive waves of invaders plundered the catacombs, Pope Boniface IV gathered up some 28 wagonloads of bones and reinterred them beneath the Pantheon, a Roman temple dedicated to all the gods. The pope rededicated the shrine as a Christian church. According to Venerable Bede, the pope intended "that the memory of all the saints might in the future be honored in the place which had formerly been dedicated to the worship not of gods but of demons" (On the Calculation of Time).
But the rededication of the Pantheon, like the earlier commemoration of all the martyrs, occurred in May. Many Eastern Churches still honor all the saints in the spring, either during the Easter season or immediately after Pentecost.
How the Western Church came to celebrate this feast, now recognized as a solemnity, in November is a puzzle to historians. The Anglo-Saxon theologian Alcuin observed the feast on November 1 in 800, as did his friend Arno, Bishop of Salzburg. Rome finally adopted that date in the ninth century.
COMMENT:
This feast, first honored martyrs. Later, when Christians were free to worship according to their conscience, the Church acknowledged other paths to sanctity. In the early centuries the only criterion was popular acclaim, even when the bishop's approval became the final step in placing a commemoration on the calendar. The first papal canonization occurred in 993; the lengthy process now required to prove extraordinary sanctity took form in the last 500 years. Today's feast honors the obscure as well as the famous—the saints each of us have known.
QUOTE:
"Toties Quoties" Prayers:
For November 1 and November 2 there is a special plenary indulgence when one fulfills the "Toties Quoties" Prayers. From noon on All Saints Day through midnight of All Souls Day, the Catholic faithful, as often as they visit a church to pray for the dead, reciting six times during each visit the:
(6) Our Father;
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
(6) Hail Mary;
Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
and
(6) Glory Be;
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
for the intentions of Holy Mother Church may gain a plenary indulgence applicable only to the souls in Purgatory, under the usual conditions of making a good Confession within a week before or after, worthily receiving Holy Communion within the week and having the right intention of heart. This is called the Toties Quoties Indulgence.
Litany of the Saints
Visit to a Cemetery-- (Plenary Indulgence 11/1-11/8):
From November 1st through November 8th, you may gain a daily Plenary Indulgence applicable only for the Holy Souls in Purgatory (especially for your relatives) by visiting a cemetery and praying daily for the Pope's Intentions.
(6) Our Father's;
(6) Hail Mary's;
(6) Glory Be's;
(1) The Apostle Creed
[ I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.]
This is a daily Plenary Indulgence which means that you can gain up to 8 Indulgences-1 per day for the 8 days- if you go and visit a cemetery every day from 11/1-11/8.
On the other days of the year, it is a partial indulgence.
The usual conditions must be met in order to gain the Plenary Indulgence.
They are:
(1) Daily Mass;
(2) Reception of Daily Eucharist;
(3) Sacramental Confession, at least once a week before or after visiting the cemetery;
(4) Prayers for the intention of the Pope; and
(5) And, having the right intention of heart.
All the conditions must be met to gain a Plenary Indulgence. If you do not go to confession at least once during the prescribed period, you do not gain the indulgence(s).
You will be doing your deceased relatives a great favor if you practice this great devotion for the release of their souls from Purgatory.
Remember one day we will also need prayers. If we do not help even our own deceased relatives, who then, do you expect will help you when your time comes?
"It is, therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sin." (2 Maccabees 12-46)
Daily Meditation
Generous Love:
Where there is Christ there can be no hatred or jealousy or anger or bitterness. There can only be love, the love that unites not by clinging to things for themselves, but by giving itself away, by suffering and death for the sake of greater union.
Quote by S. Padre Pio:
Let us listen to what the Lord tells us...by the mouth of his holy apostle Paul: We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
Divine Mercy Reflection
Reflections on Notebook Five: 263-326
As we begin Notebook Five, Saint Faustina’s understanding of the Mercy of God should be more alive to you. Hopefully you have a deeper understanding of the infinite love of God and His burning desire to embrace you, free you from the burden of sin, and shower you with His grace.
It should also be clear that God is silent at times so as to strengthen you, purify you and deepen your trust in Him. God’s wisdom and His ways are beyond what we could ever imagine. He is perfect in His love and you must have full confidence in the direction He gives to your life.
As we enter into this notebook, try to believe and live all that you have read so far. It’s one thing to believe it intellectually, it’s quite another thing to believe it with your actions. You must believe in the Mercy of God with your actions. You must let all that you have read take hold of you and direct the way you live. One way to do this is to go back to any reflections that have stood out so far. If something has stood out, be it a particular reflection or a general theme, pay attention to that. The Message of Mercy is broad and all encompassing, but it’s also particular to you. Let the Lord speak directly to you revealing the specific truths that you need to embrace the most.
Reflection 305: The Depths of God’s Love
Imagine if someone gave their life for you because they loved you. They were put into a situation where they knew you would lose your life if they did not freely give theirs. As a result, they chose to step forward in confidence, giving their life in exchange for yours. In order for someone to do this they would have to have an incredible depth of love for you, so much so that they valued your life over their own. This depth of love may be rare but it does exist and we haven’t far to look to find it. We only need to look at a crucifix to be made aware of this reality. We easily become so familiar with the Crucifixion of our Lord that we overlook the fundamental fact of His perfect love. He valued your life more than His own. He did not hesitate to die a horrible death so that you could live. This fact should not escape your daily notice. It is not some far away sublime idea; it’s a practical reality that has absolute consequences in your life. Jesus’ death is the only reason that you can live eternally in Heaven. This is an act of Mercy that should leave us with eternal gratitude (See Diary #1485).
Spend time today pondering the Crucifixion of our Lord. Try to see it not as some far away event that has only an inspirational influence on your life. See it instead for what it is. Without the free gift of Jesus on the Cross you would be lost for eternity. It’s as simple as that. His act of love was an exchange of His life for yours. The depth of His love for you is more than you will ever fathom. Ponder this truth today and rejoice that you are loved to such an absolute extent.
Lord, I will never fully understand the depth of Your perfect love. In my small way I thank You with all my heart and choose to accept the total gift of Your death on the Cross. Help me to never doubt Your love for me, dear Lord, and help me to love You in return. Jesus, I trust in You.
