Blessed All Saints Day

All Saints’ Day is a Christian holiday dedicated to honouring and commemorating the saints. It is also known as the Feast of All Saints.

 

It is observed yearly on November 1st by the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, and Protestant Churches.

History – how did it all begin?

• Back when the Roman Empire persecuted Christians, a lot of martyrs died for their faith.
• A Greek Christian festival in the early fourth century was dedicated to honouring martyrs. It is believed to have ushered in All Saints’ Day.
• In 609 A.D., under Pope Boniface IV, the first All Saints’ Day is celebrated on May 13. He dedicated the Pantheon to the Virgin Mary and the Martyrs.
• In 837 A.D., Pope Gregory III made All Saints’ Day a holiday on November 1.
• It officially became a holy day of obligation under King Louis the Pious.
• People held vigils on the evening of October 31 to prepare for All Saints’ Day.
• The Church in Ireland celebrated it on April 20 so that it would not coincide with Samhain, a pagan festival.
• After the Protestant Reformation, Protestants stopped praying for the dead on All Saints’ Day. Instead, they commemorate the dead and those who have led holy lives on Earth.
• Methodists celebrate the day as a form of thanksgiving to God for the saints.
• Common symbols associated with All Saints’ Day are images or sculptures of saints, Manus Dei (the hand of God), the crown, and a sheaf of wheat.

All Saints’ Day is a holiday rooted in the belief that the world is spiritually connected to heaven. It is considered a holy day of obligation, requiring Catholics to attend Mass.

Other names for it are All Hallows’ Day, Feast of All Saints, Solemnity of All Saints, and Hallowmas. Hallow means “holy” in Old English.
All Saints’ Day is not the same as All Souls’ Day. All Souls’ Day is dedicated to those who still have not reached heaven.

Famous Saints

St. Paul of Tarsus, formerly named Saul, persecuted Christians before he became a preacher of the Gospel.

St. Anthony of Padua was called the “Hammer of Heretics” because of his oratory skills. He is the patron saint of lost objects. He had undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick.

St. Thomas Aquinas is known as the greatest intellectual mind of the Church. Catholics think Aquinas is the best teacher for one who wants to become a priest. His most famous book is Summa Theologica.

St. Patrick of Ireland successfully converted paganism to Christianity during his time as a bishop in Ireland.

St. Therese of Lisieux is a Carmelite who entered the monastery at a young age and showed great spiritual accomplishments. She was named a doctor of the church by Pope John Paul II in 1997.

Our lovely school is named after St Vincent de Paul. He was a French Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor.

In the comment section, can you tell us about your favourite Saint? 

 

A Prayer:

Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us.

Bless the memories of your saints, God.

May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.

In the honour and noble victory of the martyrs.

Amen