November is here and we remember in a special way the holy souls of our loved ones who have gone before us in faith. This is a time when we focus on praying for those who have died and we assist them with our prayers. Pope Saint John Paul II always spoke so beautifully about praying for our deceased loved ones and at the celebration of the Millennium, at the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed in the year 2000 he encouraged this practice when he said,

“ In praying for the dead, the Church above all contemplates the mystery of the Resurrection of Christ, who obtains salvation and eternal life for us through his Cross. Thus, with Saint Odilo, we can ceaselessly repeat: ‘The Cross is my refuge, my way and my life.... The Cross is my invincible weapon. The Cross repels all evil The Cross dispels the darkness.’ The Lord's Cross reminds us that all life is illumined by the light of Easter and that no situation is totally lost, for Christ conquered death and opened the way for us to true life. Redemption is brought about in the sacrifice of Christ, by which man redeems the debt of sin and is reconciled to God". (Tertio millennio adveniente, 11. 7)

Let us take some time during this month to remember our loved ones and to renew our trust in the Holy Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, which opened the gates of eternal life for us and gives us the confidence to pray the words:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.