Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation! From ancient times, Christians have had the tradition of praying for the dead. On November 2, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, we pray in a special way for those who have gone before us, who form the communion of saints. What a beautiful gift God has given us as we remember and celebrate those who have formed us in our faith and brought us to know God! For the Christian who unites his own death to that of Jesus makes a step toward Him and an entrance into everlasting life. We receive the generous mercy of God as we know they have been, are and will be in heaven, in the heavenly Kingdom and celestial paradise with Christ, joined to the company of the holy angels.
As a community of faith within God’s earthly kingdom, we join them in prayer that they will be blessed and a source of goodness for all God’s people. I invite you to take a few moments to complete the enclosed petition form. Remembering those we love, we join our voices with all the Church as we pray, Eternal rest grant to your servants, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.