The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)
In our reading, we hear that nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God. God intended us to live forever and revealed that in Jesus Christ. We have God’s promise and nothing can take that from us.
In our gospel, Jesus was talking to Philip and Andrew who were two of the Apostles. Jesus said that if you don’t bury a grain of wheat it remains just a grain of wheat. If you bury the wheat in the ground, it grows much more grain. We are like that. If we live our lives for God, after we die, we will also be lifted up like Jesus and live with God forever.
Special Saint: St. Martin de Porres – November 3
Martin was born in Peru in 1579. His mother was a freed slave from Panama and his father was a knight from Spain. His father left Martin and his mother and sister so they were very poor.
Martin grew up devout and good. He learned to be a barber when he was twelve. He also learned how to cure many diseases. He wanted to give himself to God as a Dominican brother. Brother Martin soon proved to be a wonderful religious.
He served others as a barber, nursed the sick, gave food to the poor, founded an orphanage and a hospital, and had compassion for animals in need of shelter. He was well known for his kindness to the poor and sick.
We can ask St. Martin to give us his love for all people. He’ll help us to see people of all races, nationalities, and religions as children of God.