Remembering our Dead

The Rabbis of our Jewish ancestors had a saying: “To remember is to give life. To forget is to let die.” For this reason Jews have long remembered their dead. We too have a long history of remembering those who have died. This is expressed every time we gather for Eucharist and pray the Eucharistic prayer:

Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection and all who have died in your mercy. Eucharistic Prayer II.

But once a year, on November 2, the Church sets aside an entire day to remember and to pray for our dead. This day is called The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed or All Soul’s Day.

If you listen closely to the texts of the Mass for this day, you will hear a central belief of our faith—that the death and resurrection of Jesus gives meaning and hope to our own death:

Look favorably on our offerings, O Lord, so that your departed servants may be taken up into glory with your Son, in whose great mystery of love we are all united.Prayer over the offerings.

At St. Thomas Aquinas, we will remember and pray for our dead on November 2, at the regular 9am and 12noon Masses, as well as at the 7:00pm bilingual liturgy, at which time we will remember and name our loved ones who died in the previous year.  We will remember our departed brothers and sisters in in other ways as well:

An altar or ofrenda, marking the Day of the Dead, a holiday in Mexico and other Latin cultures, will be placed in the narthex. These altars are typically adorned with photos, memorabilia—even the favorite foods and beverages of those who have died.

As well, a book of remembrance with the names of our departed dead and a picture board with photos of those who have did will be located in the narthex throughout November.

May our remembrance of our departed loved ones bring peace and deepen the faith we profess each time we say in the creed: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”