"For All the Saints"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "For All the Saints":

 

Belated Birthday Blessings, Chris!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Christopher Medeiros, husband of Myrna's daughter Mimi, who recently celebrated his birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Solemnity of All Saints

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints. The assigned readings are Revelation 7:2-4, 1 John 3:1-3, and Matthew 5:1-12a. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 24 (Psalm 24:1bc-4ab, 5-6).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Spirit & Psalm - All Saints, 2023 - Year A - Psalm 24 - McKinley

The Gospel reading is as follows:

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: Ninety-Nine and a Half Won't Do - A Homily for the Feast of All Saints (31 OCT 26) 

Benedictine College: This Sunday, Saints Prove That Good Is More Interesting Than Evil (29 OCT 26)

Word on Fire: Do You Want to Be a Saint? (Cycle A * All Saints * Ordinary Time * 31st Week)

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: Saints, here and there (30 OCT 26)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You have planned for us during the month of November.

Effie Caldarola on the Praying Mantis

"In the picture her mom sent, my five-year-old granddaughter is staring wide-eyed at the praying mantis she has just discovered on the back of her chair at breakfast. . . .

"A praying mantis' two front legs hold together in what some regard as a posture of prayer. Its funny little head is triangular. How marvelous is the Creator."

In a recent commentary, writer Effie Caldarola reflected on how the swiftness of life, for us and for the praying mantis, is part of the Creator's mysterious plan.

To access Ms. Caldarola's complete essay, please visit:

The Pilot: Echoes: Effie Caldarola: The praying mantis (9 SEP 264)

Reflection Starter from Pope Leo XIV

"Holiness is not a privilege reserved for a few, but a universal vocation that speaks to each of us where we live. This is the hope-filled message of today's feast: God sees the good that we do not see, knows stories that we do not know, and reaches hearts to which we have no access." - Pope Leo XIV

As we celebrate All Hallow's Eve and as this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Bobby Pickett's "Monster Mash":

 

Belated Birthday Blessings, Jamie!!!

Belated birthday greetings to nephew James Fedoras, whose birthday was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Belated Birthday Blessings, Leslie!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Leslie Ann Ascencao, whose birthday was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the graces You give us as we answer Your call to holiness.

Caitlin Bootsma on the Saints

Monsignor Robert Sarno has worked on canonization causes for decades.  He has met people who are today recognized as saints, and knows the ins and outs of the canonization causes for many men and women who may be canonized as saints in the future. Recently, he spoke at the Seton Shrine's second annual Saints on Their Way event, revealing what was titled 'a theology of canonization.'

"A retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and a former official of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Monsignor Sarno says that there are two reasons that we should look to the saints throughout our lives. The first is imitation – they are examples of men and women with many challenges who lived lives of heroic virtue. The second is intercession – the saints bring our petitions to God."

In a recent commentary, writer Caitlin Bootsma reflected on Msgr. Sarno's presentation.

To access the complete post, please visit:

Aleteia: What we often forget about the saints (30 OCT 26)

Reflection Starter from Isaac Bashevis Singer

"Life is God's novel. Let him write it." -  Isaac Bashevis Singer