November Means Remember

A dear Priest from my early seminary days, Father John Taugher, taught me, "November means remember."  It remains a lesson I have never forgotten.

Today, we begin this new month in our calendar year remembering.

We remember all those good and decent people (our dear relatives and friends among them we hope and pray) who live in the eternal presence of Our Heavenly Father.

These are the members of the Church Triumphant, the Holy Saints of God.  In their company are the Saints declared as such by the Church, and the myriad Saints known only to God Himself.

We ask the intercession of Saints on this November 1st -- All Saints Day -- that, even as we honor them for the example of faith and fidelity they leave us as a legacy, they intercede for us before God today and everyday of our lives.  May we one day join them to be in God's company forever.

Tomorrow, November means remember continues as we call to mind our beloved dead and all the souls of the Faithful Departed and pray for their intentions.  May those suffering the purification of the Purgatorial experience come quickly to see the Face of God.  As we pray for them, may they pray for us as well.  Let us leave an example of prayer for the Departed so that our children and grandchildren will pray for our immortal souls when we are called forth from this life.  May the souls of all the Faithful Departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.

During November, we remember and pray for all those who have defended our country against enemies who have attempted but failed to silence the voice of freedom in our land and from the world itself.  We honor the members of our Armed Forces, citizen soldiers who have stood in harm's way for our welfare and our freedoms.  "No greater love than this, " Jesus tells us, "than to lay down one's life for one's friends." This is the calling of the soldier, to stand on a wall or to man a post in dangerous places and tell the rest of us that we can be a peace because they are watching out for us.  God bless our Veterans, living and deceased.  We remember your service, your valor and we will never forget.

Finally, toward the end of November we will pause and remember to thank God for the blessings of our lives, not just the bounty He bestows upon us, but also for the opportunities that come our way to reflect His Goodness and Love for us.  On Thanksgiving Day, let us remind ourselves that God is the source of everything in life that is wholesome, good and uplifting.  Thanks, God, for being so kind to us in spite of our many shortcomings.

November means remember.  We start on this All Saints Day and conclude with Thanksgiving Day.  What a wonderful day this is.  What a wonderful month.  God bless you and God bless our beloved country always.