Each year on November 2nd, the Holy Mother Church pauses in prayer and solemn remembrance of all the faithful departed, those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith.
It is a sacred day filled with gratitude, remembrance, and hope for their lives, as well as remembrances of their love, witness, and hope in the eternal life promised by Christ our Lord.
Bishop Eduardo in pastoral message noted that All Souls’ Day reveals one of the most consoling truths of our Catholic faith; the communion of saints. In the divine mystery of God’s family.
“When we pray for the souls in purgatory, we engage in a sacred act of love that unites heaven and earth. Our Prayers, Sacrifices, and the Holy Eucharist help purify and strengthen them, hastening their entrance into the radiant presence of God.”
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Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, he said that the “souls of the faithful departed are not far from us; they are close to us in the communion of the church and in the light of faith.”
He further noted that we celebrate this day because we believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. This is not a ritual of sorrow, but a proclamation of Christian hope and enduring love.
The local ordinary of Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY) further said that African spiritual heritage beautifully harmonizes with this Christian mystery across the lands, among the Azande, Baka, Avokaya, Balanda, Oduho, Mundo, Moru, Bari, Dinka, Chollo, among others, who hold that the dead remain part of the living community. They are ancestors, guides, and companions in spirit; hence, it mirrors the church’s belief in the communion of saints.
He urged that honoring the dead should not end with the funeral, the tears, songs, and rituals of burial must give way to lasting remembrance and care. Therefore, we must keep our cemeteries clean, flowered and sacred, build altars and shelters in our parish cemeteries for prayer and liturgical services, celebrate annual memorials and anniversaries, dedicate schools, hospitals, parishes and community institutions in memory of the great souls. And that permanent lands for cemeteries be allocated and parishes to maintain them as signs of faith, dignity, and resurrection hope.
Bishop Eduardo reminded the Christians to remember the faithful departed, keep their names and virtues alive in their homes and hearts, to pray for them, through Holy ass, the rosary, and acts of mercy, to imitate their goodness and continue with their works of charity as St. Ambrose taught “we have loved them during life; let us not abandon them until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house of the lord.”
He further quoted the canon law (Can. 1176 $3) saying, ‘‘the church earnestly recommends that the Pius custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; she encourages the faithful to visit cemeteries and pray for the dead: – African proverb: ‘‘those who are not remembered are truly dead.
He encouraged all the faithful to vist the cemeteries with candles, flowers, songs, and prayers, not in fear, but in joyful faith. For they should be the gardens of resurrection, places where every grave whispers. ‘‘He is not here; He is risen!”
Finally, he commended all the departed souls of Priests, religious, parents, children, and leaders to the mercy of God, saying, “ May they rest in peace until we meet again in the glory of Christ.”
