Remembering the Saints

You will find the names of some of the Saints in the Common Worship Calendar and the Prayer Book Calendar, alongside the days in the year when each is honoured and remembered.  But as there are so many whom we do not know, we honour all the Saints together on November 1st, All Saints’ Day.

The Church Triumphant

Although they are now in Heaven, the Saints still belong to the Church.  We call the Church in Heaven the Church Triumphant or Victorious because the Saints have won the victory over sin and the Devil.

In holy pictures you will find that the Saints are painted wearing a halo (a circle of light) round their heads so that we can pick them out.  (Our Lord’s halo is usually marked with a Cross so as to make it easy to recognise him).

Prayers to the Saints

You remember how important it is for us to pray for the souls of the Faithful Departed in Purgatory.  We do not, however, pray for the Saints in Heaven because, since they live with God, they do not need our prayers.  Instead, they pray for us; so when we pray we should ask them for their prayers. 

As we make our way through this world, enjoying good times and coping with the difficult and sometimes sad times, it is a wonderful thing to think that each year brings us nearer to Purgatory and so to Heaven.  And all the time the Saints with the angels are praying for us, and helping us on our way, and waiting for the day when they hope we also shall join them.

SUMMARY

1. People who are in Heaven see God and are filled with him.  They are called the Saints, and we know the names of many of them.

2. First is Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and after her the Apostles.  Those who were killed for the Christian Faith are called Martyrs, and those who led very holy lives are called Confessors.

3. We honour many Saints on their own Feast Days, and we honour all the Saints, known and unknown, on All Saints’ Day, November 1st.

References

1. Ken, T. (1637 – 1711) Her Virgin eyes saw God incarnate born.  Available from: http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/h/h203.html  (Accessed 16 August 2010) (Internet).

2. The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna (2nd century A.D.) cited in Aquilina, M. (2006) The Fathers of the Church.  An introduction to the first Christian teachers, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.