Text and Illustrations: OFFERIMUS TIBI DOMINE
While the obligation was suspended during the pandemic, we should remember that it has now been re-instated.
According to The Code of Canon Law, Sunday, the day we celebrate The Resurrection of Our Lord, is always observed as the foremost Holy Day of Obligation for the universal Church.
The Constitution on The Sacred Liturgy of The Second Vatican Council stated: “Thus recalling the mysteries of the redemption, The Church opens up to the Faithful, the riches of her Lord’s powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present for all time; the Faithful lay hold of them and are filled with saving grace” (#102).
Therefore, the importance of attending Mass on Sunday or any other Holy Day is not simply because of an obligation, but why it is an obligation.
So what ?
Our cherishing the mysteries of our salvation should take precedence over the exigencies of living in this world.
The Holy Days help us to remember the same.
Therefore, we must pause to ponder, celebrate, and live the mystery of salvation by marking each Sunday, these special Holy Events, and the lives of those who are exemplars of Faith, with the offering of The Holy Mass.
All Souls’ Day initiates a whole month - November - when we are encouraged to Pray for “The Holy Souls” each day.
This is the Catholic reality and origin of Halloween. A far cry from the corrupted secular celebration of “Halloween” (All Hallow’s (Saints’) Eve) that we will see around us this week, which is a conflation and misunderstanding of these two Holy Feasts.
The “ghosts and ghoulies”, so prevalent in today’s money-oriented social activities, originate from the tradition of visiting a graveyard to Pray for our loved ones.
So, if you are going to the trouble of carving out pumpkins and giving out treats to random children who ring your doorbell with threats to egg your front door, don’t forget to come and Pray for your deceased loved ones.
An effort with rather better fruits, surely ?
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