Communion of Saints
November is a month for remembering. The feast of All Saints on November 1 is a day to recall and rejoice in the great cloud of witnesses who surround us encouraging and supporting us on our journey through life. Throughout the year we celebrate feast days of various canonised saints but on this day we rejoice also in the many unknown saints who have lived among us making the world a better place and who now enjoy the fullness of life and love. (see Heb12:1-2).
November 2 - All Souls Day - is a day for remembering in prayer all those whom we have loved and lost and also those unknown to us in this life who yearn to enter into the life and love of heaven. We know that God’s desire is that all enter into fullness of life and through our prayers and offerings unite ourselves with His Son Jesus who came into the world so that all might be saved.(see Jn 3:16).
Behind the sanctuary in our chapel is a small Oratory where Sisters may go to spend quiet time in prayer before the tabernacle. On either side of the altar in the Oratory are two beautifully carved reliquary cabinets containing reliquaries that have been gifted to the Monastery. On the feast of All Saints the community gathers in the Oratory where the cabinet doors are opened and we join together in the Litany of the Saints. And each year there are new names to add!
Throughout November Mass is offered each day for the departed and a book of remembrance is kept. The community also celebrates special Offices for the deceased during this month. If you would like us to pray for your loved ones please use the contact page to send us your prayer requests.
Another day of remembrance this month is November 11 - Remembrance Day - when at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month many throughout the world pause for some moments of silence to remember those who have suffered and died in war.
So during this month let us bring out old photos and share the memories of those whom we have known and loved. Though they may have departed from this life they still remain vitally connected with us in the communion of saints.
