By Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas: Of All Saints and All Souls

Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas, The Catholic Thing, Nov. 1, 2021

Father Peter Stravinskas holds doctorates in school administration and theology. He is the founding editor of The Catholic Response and publisher of Newman House Press. Most recently, he launched a graduate program in Catholic school administration through Pontifex University.

It’s more than a providential coincidence that the Church observes both All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day as fall turns into winter in this hemisphere and signs of death in nature serve as powerful reminders of our frailty and mortality, but also of the destiny of the saints in eternal glory.

In recent years, a great deal has been written on the topic of death and dying, much of it simply perpetuating modern man’s inability to cope with suffering and death. And so, it’s good for us believers to look at death squarely and intelligently at this time.

As we think about the poor souls in Purgatory tomorrow, we should not be burdened with grief, for they are saved, and the full experience of salvation awaits them among all the saints we remember today in joyful hope. …

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