Living Liturgically - November

All Souls' Day is a significant day in the Catholic tradition. It serves as a time for Catholics to remember and pray for their deceased loved ones, as well as for all the faithful departed, including those in purgatory. Catholics believe that death is not an ultimate separation, as they remain united with their departed loved ones in the Communion of Saints. The theological basis for All Souls' Day lies in the belief that some souls, after death, may require purification from their sins in purgatory before attaining the full joy of heaven. The Church, on this day, prays for the souls in purgatory, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the Church triumphant (in heaven), the Church militant (on Earth), and the Church suffering (in purgatory). All Souls' Day emphasizes the importance of prayers, Masses, and sacrifices for the deceased. The Church believes that these acts of charity help the souls in purgatory on their journey towards eternal bliss. This tradition has deep historical roots, with evidence of commemorations and sacrifices for the deceased dating back to the early Christian era. 

Celebrate All Soul’s Day by doing the following:

• Learning more by following the links below:
  • Why do we celebrate All Soul's Day? via EWTN
  • The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed via Loyola Press
• Visit your loved ones gravesite.
• Attend mass.
• Pray for those who have passed.
• Bake soul cakes. 

The Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the moment when Mary, at age three, was presented by her parents, Joachim and Anne, in the Temple in Jerusalem as part of a vow made by her parents when they were childless. This event serves an important theological purpose. It extends the impact of previous feasts such as the Immaculate Conception and Mary's birth, emphasizing the holiness that was bestowed upon Mary from the very beginning of her earthly existence. Historically, the celebration of this feast has its origins in the Eastern Church, with documented evidence dating back to the 11th century. It was later introduced into the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Gregory XI in the 15th century but was removed from the calendar by Pope Pius V in the mid-16th century. The feast was eventually reinstated by Pope Sixtus V in 1585 and continues to be celebrated today, underscoring the faith of Mary's parents and her own purity. The Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the presentation of Mary as a child in the Temple and is rooted in both historical and apocryphal accounts. It serves to highlight the sanctity of Mary from her earliest days and is celebrated in both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions, reaffirming the significance of her role in the Christian faith.
 
Celebrate the memorial by doing the following:

• Learn more at The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Attend mass.
• Pray the rosary.
• Sing/learn Marian hymns.

St. Andrew, also known as Andrew the Apostle, was a significant figure in early Christianity. He was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee and worked as a fisherman, just like his brother Simon Peter. Andrew first encountered Jesus through the influence of John the Baptist, and he played a crucial role in introducing his brother Peter to Jesus. Though often overshadowed by his brother, Andrew is recognized for bringing souls to Christ. After Pentecost, Andrew expanded his apostolic work across a wider region, including modern-day Greece and Turkey. Tradition holds that he was martyred in Patras, Greece, crucified on an X-shaped cross, now known as "St. Andrew's cross." Andrew's devotion to the Cross and Jesus is celebrated within the Church. While some details of his martyrdom are based on legendary accounts, his steadfast faith and willingness to endure suffering for his beliefs are widely acknowledged. St. Andrew's significance is also found in the symbolism of his cross, which is featured on the flag of Scotland and is associated with him. Andrew's role as one of the Twelve Apostles, his unwavering faith, and his missionary activities left a lasting legacy in the early Christian Church. He is the patron saint of  fishermen, Greece, Russia, and Scotland.

Celebrate the feast by doing the following:

• Pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena
• Studying the New Testament.
• Read 10 Things to Know & Share About St. Andrew
• Attend mass.