ALL SAINTS’ DAY

DESPITE HAVING AN EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP , IT BEING A RARE ‘BLUE MOON’, AND HALLOWE’EN LAST NIGHT….TODAY MARKS ANOTHER SPECIAL OCCASION : ALL SAINT’S DAY.

ALL SAINTS’ DAY

All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows’ Day or Hallowmas) is the day after All Hallows’ Eve (Hallowe’en). It is a feast day celebrated on 1st November by Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

It is an opportunity for believers to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history. As part of this day of obligation, believers are required to attend church and try not to do any servile work.

Remembering saints and martyrs and dedicating a specific day to them each year has been a Christian tradition since the 4th century AD, but it wasn’t until 609AD that Pope Boniface IV decided to remember all martyrs. Originally 13th May ( my birthday!)was designated as the Feast of All Holy Martyrs. Later, in 837AD, Pope Gregory IV extended the festival to remember all the saints, changed its name to Feast of All Saints and changed the date to 1st November.

We celebrate today the solemnity of All Saints. This invites us to turn our gaze to the immense multitude of those who have already reached the blessed land, and points us on the path that will lead us to that destination.

Pope John Paul II, All Saints’ Day 2003

SO WE HONOUR THOSE MARTYRS WHO GAVE THEIR LIFE FOR GOD AND THOSE SAINTS WHO LIVED THEIR LIFE SO WE COULD FIND OUR WAY TO HIM.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE SAINT? THESE ARE SOME OF MINE……