Bishop Solis: Solemnity of All Souls is a time to pray for the living and the dead

Friday, Nov. 10, 2017

SALT LAKE CITY — The Solemnity of All Souls, also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is a day set aside to remember and honor “all our departed brothers and sisters, especially our loved ones” – a time to ask God to forgive all the departed dead so that they may be given eternal life, rest and peace in communion with God the Savior, said Bishop Oscar A. Solis during his homily at the Nov. 2 Mass celebrated at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Concelebrants were Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general; Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus; Fr. Dominic Thuy Dang Ha, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Parish; Fr. Andrew Skrzypiec, pastor of St. Ambrose Parish; Fr. Jose Barrera Cruz, administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish; and Fr. Patrick Elliott, a retired priest of the diocese. 

Deacon George Reade assisted at the Mass. 

While it is human nature to mourn friends and relatives who have died, the Catholic faith expands the concept of death, the bishop said.

“Although sadness and grief come whenever we remember our dead, today is a day of hope and joy, reminding us of the consoling promise of Christ,” who said those who believe in him will be resurrected and have eternal life, Bishop Solis reminded those present.

 In addition, “the death of our faithful departed reminds us of our own mortality,” he said. “Death is not something to be afraid of or avoided. Nobody lives forever in this world. Every day that we wake up we are one day closer to the moment of our death in our journey toward eternal life.” 

The Scriptures give a consoling reminder that God sent Christ to give everyone hope that, after the final judgement, everyone will be together in Heaven, he said. “This is the promise of Jesus.”

The bishop urged all those present to pray for one another; for the dearly departed, that they may enjoy eternal rest with God; and for the living, that they may have the courage and inspiration to continue to do God’s will so that, after death, they will be reunited “with our loved ones in heaven with Jesus our Lord.”