All Souls Day 2026

 

November 2nd was the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, also known as All Souls Day. When I was in Peru, I always celebrated mass at the local cemetery. Hundreds of people came to remember their dead relatives and friends. Many spent the night before preparing the favourite food of their loved ones which they placed on each grave. It was a clear sign of their belief that those who had departed from this life continue to live in the joy of the kingdom of heaven. In the first reading, Isaiah tells us that ''On this mountain the Lord will remove the mourning veil covering all people,'' but we do mourn because we miss those who were part of our lives and are now no longer with us; we do not mourn them because we doubt where they now are.

 

When Jesus arrived at the home of Lazarus he had been dead for four days, but Jesus told Martha, ''I am the Resurection and the Life. Those who believe in me even though they die, will live.'' We remember how Jesus on the cross promised one of those crucified with him that ''Today you will be with me in Paradise.'' But the greatest proof of our rising to future life is the Resurrection of Jesus himself. As we read in 1 Peter 1:3, ''The God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.'' May our hope in the resurrection inspire us to live in such a way that we will be prepared to meet the Lord when he calls us to our final home.

 

On All Souls day, Columbans from here at Lower Hutt visited the graves of fellow Columbans who are buried at Taita Cemetary.

 

  Frs Tom Rouse, Paul Finlayson and Don Hornsey at the graves of fellow Columbans on All Souls day at Taita Cemetary.