Merciful Father,
On this All Souls’ Day, we remember with love and gratitude our brother priests and confreres who have completed their earthly journey and returned to You.
We thank You for the gift of their lives, their priestly vocation, their dedication to the Church, and their faithful service to Your people and to our Congregation.
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Every year, as November approaches, millions of Filipinos prepare for Undas, one of the country’s most meaningful traditions. Families travel home, visit cemeteries, offer flowers, light candles, and pray for their departed loved ones. For many, it is also a time to reunite with relatives and share memories of those who have gone before them.
Yet Undas is more than a family tradition. It is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of life and death, strengthen our faith, and renew our hope in Jesus Christ, who conquered death and promised eternal life.
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On this day, the Church pauses in deep prayer and remembrance for all the faithful departed, those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. It is a day of hope, of tender memory, and of trust in God’s mercy. The Gospel proclaimed today brings us words of comfort and promise from Jesus Himself:
“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me… and I shall raise him on the last day.” (John 6:37, 40)
The celebrations of All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2 are central to the Catholic Church’s tradition of remembering the dead. These days honor both the saints who have attained heaven and the souls who are still undergoing purification. Together, they remind Catholics of the “Communion of Saints,” that unity between the Church on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven. Continue reading
Halloween, widely celebrated with costumes, decorations, and “trick-or-treating,” is often seen as a secular holiday centered on fun and fright. Yet, its origins are deeply spiritual, with significant Catholic traditions focused on honoring the communion of saints and praying for the departed. For Catholics, Halloween offers a special time to reconnect with its holy roots and celebrate in a way that reflects both tradition and faith. Continue reading