Proper Dignity to Saints and Souls

From Pray Tell-

There is a common conflation that occurs in churches that spring from the sixteenth century: the collapse of any distinction between the solemnity of All Saints and commemoration that follows, All Souls’ Day. It is common to hear the invitation for people to list names of departed loved one who will be remembered at the liturgy on All Saints’ Day (or Sunday). 

Sometimes this springs from theological reservation, cultivated in reformation objections to indulgences and masses for the dead (while All Saints’ Day remained in the Church of England, All Souls’ disappears from the calendar until the liturgical reforms of the twentieth century). But just as often, this conflation springs from simply confusion. The distinction between these two days, I want to suggest, is not only proper as it concerns the calendar. The distinction is actually pastorally tender and truly life-giving.


More here-

http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2017/11/01/proper-dignity-to-saints-and-souls/

For all the saints who from their labors rest (w/ video)

From Patheos-

As Anglican theologian N.T. Wright and many others have helpfully pointed out in recent times, this hymn more accurately reflects the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of the body than a lot of Romantic, Victorian, and modern hymns that conceive of the afterlife as sweet by-and-by (see Wright’s Surprised by Hope, esp. pp. 20-23).

The hymn as written has 11 stanzas. In this country, Episcopalians usually sing 8 verses (as in President Gerald Ford’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral), other mainline Protestant denominations usually sing 6, and Catholics sing as few as two.

“For All the Saints” is a very beautiful hymn. I say that not as an opinion, but as an objective fact! Some art embodies transcendence and expresses human longing in objectively more beautiful ways than others. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. You should! I only hope the images I chose did it partial justice.

More here-

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jacoblupfer/2016/11/for-all-the-saints-who-from-their-labors-rest-w-video/

Haunted Churches Will Give You The Shivers

From Huffington-

Halloween comes just before Dia De Los Muertos, All Saints and All Soul's Day, which are times to remember and honor the souls of those who have passed before us.

However, some churches claim that the spirits of the dead are still hanging around their hallways and graveyards. Mysterious lights, muffled voices, and weird apparitions are just some of the many unexplained phenomena that persist around these places.

From the ghost of a long-dead sea captain in Florida to the phantom of a governess that perished in a house fire, these churches swear that they are haunted by spirits that refuse to leave. Look through them, if you dare..

More here-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/28/haunted-churches_n_4170811.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

Pittsburghers can honor at least 16 saints or candidates for sainthood with ties to this region

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-

On Monday, All Saints Day, Pittsburghers can honor at least 16 saints or candidates for sainthood with ties to this region.

Two Catholic saints lived here, as did two blesseds and four servants of God. The Orthodox, the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America also have feast days for Pittsburghers on their calendars.

Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh isn't surprised.

"For Pittsburgh, faith is a very big thing. God isn't on the back burner," he said.

The Catholic and Orthodox churches teach that anyone who has gone to heaven is a saint, who can pray for those on earth. But they honor some as role models by officially declaring them saints. The Episcopal and Lutheran churches avoid the title "Saint" for those who died after about 1500. But they do add new role models to their calendars, which is how saints are honored.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10304/1099577-455.stm#ixzz13vrTJ5Oz