Remembering All Saints & All Souls Day

One of the most popular games that children play is Simon Says. Who can describe how the game is played?

Human beings learn by imitation!

So, as we grow up, we often look up to certain people that we want to imitate.

When it comes to our relationship with God, we can also learn by imitation. The people that we try to imitate are called Saints.

1

All Saints

During the month of November, we remember and honor the saints in a very special way. Does anyone know what we celebrate on November 1?

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All Souls

And what do we celebrate on November 2?

Can you name a saint? What do you know about this saint? Many Catholic parishes are named after saints. Can you think of some examples from the area in which you live?

“I found companions among the saints – friends to turn to when I needed a helping hand. God in his wisdom has given us these companions of Jesus to accompany us along the way.” -Rev. James Martin, SJ

So, what does it mean to be a saint? ALL of us are called to be saints!

The Canonization of Saints

There are specific steps involved in being canonized. 1. A bishop promotes the cause of someone for sainthood. 2. A group of people in the Vatican - the Congregation for Cause of Saints - evaluates the candidate's life. 3. If approved, the pope proclaims that the candidate is venerable, which means that the person is a role model of Catholic virtues. 4. If it is shown that a miracle has occurred through the intercession of this person, he or she is beatified (called Blessed). On Oct. 20, 2003, Mother Teresa was beatified. She is now known as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. 5. If it is shown that a 2nd miracle can be attributed to this person, he or she is canonized and called a saint.

Examples of Saints’ Feast Days

Saints’ Feast Days

• January 1: Mary, the Mother of God • March 19: St. Joseph • April 29: St. Catherine of Siena • June 29: Sts. Peter and Paul • July 31: St. Ignatius of Loyola • October 4: St. Francis of Assisi • November 30: St. Andrew • December 13: St. Lucy

www.usccb.org/calendar (Roman Liturgical Calendar)

Mary’s Feast Days • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God * January 8: Our Lady of Prompt Succor February 2: Presentation of the Lord February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes March 25: Annunciation May 13: Our Lady of Fatima May 31: Visitation June 27: Our Mother of Perpetual Help August 15: Assumption * August 22: Queenship of Mary September 8: Birth of Mary September 12: The Most Holy Name of Mary September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary November 21: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 8: Immaculate Conception * December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe * Holy Days of Obligation

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All Saints

The Solemnity of All Saints

Examples of Patron Saints St. Anthony: lost items St. Francis of Assisi: animals St. Peregrine: people suffering from cancer St. Isidore: farmers St. Thomas More: lawyers St. Dymphna: people suffering from mental illness St. Agatha: nurses St. Michael the Archangel: police officers St. Cecilia: singers St. Joseph: workers

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All Souls

All Souls’Day: The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed

November: The MONTH of All Souls

Dia de los Muertos: The Day of the Dead

Saints Resources from Loyola Press

Remembering All Saint and All Souls Day from Loyola Press Notes to accompany the Powerpoint Slide Two:

[Begin by playing a simple game of Simon Says]

Simon Says is a popular game for children to play. If you were to describe how the game is to be played, how would you describe it? (invite volunteers) One of the words we use when describing the game of Simon Says is the word imitate. The players in the game have to follow the instructions and imitate the movements and gestures of Simon. It turns out that imitation has a lot to do with learning. In fact, a great deal of our learning comes through imitating others. Slide Three: It’s obvious when watching young children that imitating the behaviors of adults is an important part of learning. Even as we grow older, we continue to imitate the actions and behaviors of others. Slide Four: In particular, we tend to look up to certain people that we want to imitate. And so, it’s not uncommon to see young people imitating celebrities, athletes, and entertainers as well as everyday people like firefighters, doctors, teachers, coaches, and others whom we admire. Slide Five: In a similar way, we learn how to follow Jesus more closely by imitating the actions and behaviors of some people who were very faithful and successful at following Jesus. We call these people saints. For centuries, Catholics have looked to the saints as models for how we are to live as Christians. By imitating them, we can grow closer to Jesus. Slide Six: During the month of November , we are invited to remember and honor the saints in several unique ways. Does anyone know what we celebrate on November 1? (All Saints Day) (click) This is a day on which we pay tribute to all of the saints and commit ourselves to living lives of faith as they did. Slide Seven: Does anyone know what we celebrate on November 2? (All Souls Day) (click) This is a day set aside for us to recall, honor, and pray for all those people who have died as followers of Christ. Slide Eight: Let’s see how many saints you can name! (invite volunteers to name saints as you list them on the board) Can you think of some Catholic parishes in our area that are named after saints? (invite volunteers and share examples if they are unable to think of any) Slide Nine: Let’s see how many saints you can name!

(invite volunteers to name saints as you list them on the board) Can you think of some Catholic parishes in our area that are named after saints? (invite volunteers and share examples if they are unable to think of any) Slide Ten: Let’s talk about what it means to be a saint. First of all, it would be wrong to think that the saints were perfect people. When it comes to sin, none of us are perfect. A famous Catholic author, G.K. Chesterton, once commented that a saint is someone who knows that he or she is a sinner Instead of ignoring that fact or instead of trying to fix themselves, they perfected the practice of turning to God for healing. When people succeed at doing that, we say they are holy. All of us are called to be saints since all of us are called to be holy! Slide Eleven: Some people, however, are extraordinary examples of holiness and they are identified as saints by the Church so that we can look to them for inspiration. The process of becoming a saint normally takes a long time so that the Church can be sure that imitating these individuals will truly lead us closer to God. Slide Twelve: no notes Slide Thirteen: The Church celebrates the lives of the Saints through feast days. Usually, a saint’s feast is connected with the date he or she is known or believed to have died. Here are some feast days of some very well-known saints. Slide Fourteen: Of course, the greatest of the saints is Mary, the Mother of Jesus. We hold her in such high regard, that we celebrate all of the following feasts to honor her. Slide Fifteen: Because there are over 3000 saints and only 365 days in a year, we dedicate November 1 to celebrate All Saints! We call this day a “solemnity” meaning that it is a very important celebration and that we are called to give our utmost attention to this celebration. Slide Sixteen: On All Saints Day, it is traditional for Catholics to dress up as saints and to tell their stories so that we can learn to be like them. If you could dress up as a saint, which saint would you choose? (invite discussion) Slide Seventeen: Catholics often choose saints to be their patron – someone who prays on their behalf. In addition to choosing a saint who shares your name, patrons are also chosen because of some connection the saint had with a location or with an interest, an occupation or trade, a unique experience, a particular sickness, or form of death.

For example, since St. Joseph was a carpenter, he is known as the patron saint of workers. Slide Eighteen: Let’s take a closer look at what we celebrate on November 2 which is the feast of All Soul’s Day. What does the word “commemoration” mean? (to remember, to recall) On the Feast of All Souls, we remember all those who have died as followers of Christ. Slide Nineteen: Scripture teaches us to pray for the dead (2Maccabees 12:44-46) because we are connected with them in the Communion of Saints. Although we are sad that these people are no longer physically with us, we rejoice knowing that they are with us in the Communion of Saints and we pray with them and for them and ask them to pray for us. When people die, they may not have repented of all their sins, and there may still be consequences for serious sins that have been forgiven. These personal obstacles to seeing God face to face must first be removed, and this takes place through an experience we call purgatory. Through our prayers, we assist those experiencing this transition. Slide Twenty: In addition to All Souls Day, the Catholic Church marks the entire month of November as the Month of All Souls. Many parishes have a Book of the Names of the Dead in which parishioners are invited to record the names of loved ones who have died. These people are remembered in prayer at each Mass throughout the month. Likewise, many parishes invite parishioners to bring in photographs of loved ones who have died so that they can be remembered in a special way. Slide Twenty-One: In Mexico, All Souls Day is celebrated as Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). Altars are assembled in the home to honor the departed. They are decorated with flowers and sugar candy skulls, skeleton toys, candles, photographs, bread, chocolate, and the favorite food and drink of the departed. Families then go to cemeteries and wash the tombstones and decorate them. The overall message is that death is not something we need to fear…it is a part of life and that those who have died are still with us in the Communion of Saints. Slide Twenty-Two: The month of November teaches us a very important lesson: that we are united with those who have died through the Communion of Saints and that, through their companionship, we may grow closer to Jesus Christ. Slide Twenty-Three: [share with your students various resources that can assist them in understanding and praying with the saints. Visit www.loyolapress.com to find saints resources.}