For Catholics, today (November 1) is the Solemnity of All Saints, a day to celebrate all of the saints in heaven -- both those who are canonized and those whose names we do not know.
Today's Gospel at Mass is Christ's pronouncement of the Beatitudes, the qualities of those who are working to be saints.
From Matthew Chapter 5:
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.”
Fran has All Saints on the brain here and here.
Mike too.
At Mass today, most churches will sing the Litany of Saints. There are many musical settings for the litany. Below are two of the newer versions:
A Concord Pastor gave us some brass for All Saints:
3 comments:
Among the twists and turns in the "litany" from World Youth Day is the quirky beginning where each person of the Trinity and then the Trinity itself is invoked and then the assembly sings, "Pray for us!"
When we ask the Father, Son and Spirit to pray for us, to whom do they pray?
Good point, CP. Those beginning refrains should probably be "We Pray to You."
Oh CP - wow, I never thought of that!
This is a lovely post and I thank you for the link.
The youth litany really struck me in a different way. I sat there watching and was quite moved by all the faces that were shown as the camera panned the crowd.
I am ever reminded my the enormity of our Church yet - we are one body. As the faces were shown, I thought about how we might have our own ideological differences, but - we are one body. And I was very moved that the Becker litany was used; recently someone I know surprised me because they were very critical of that version.
Frankly I love that one best, but they are all beautiful. And you have shared them here so generously.
You are a saint my friend!
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