Happy Sunday!

Today we joyously celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This afternoon we will host our Eucharistic Procession through the neighborhood. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ and be joined together in prayer. In a particular way it emphasizes the kingship of Jesus Christ. The Church celebrates this Solemnity because Jesus is not the Lord of one country or people, but of all peoples and so the Church rightly regards Him as King of the Universe. That is, He is the king of all created things, not merely our parish, city, country, etc. In processing Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament through the neighborhood we remind ourselves and those we meet that Jesus desires to be the Lord of all people and all things.

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Happy Sunday!

As we continue our journey through the liturgical year we pause in this month of November to remember the faithful departed. The Church invites us to pray in a special way for our loved ones who have passed from this life. In fact, she invites us to pray for all the deceased. We often speak of offering prayers for the souls in Purgatory. The Church teaches us that Purgatory is the place where souls go after death who "are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven" (CCC 1030). Preaching about praying for the dead, St. John Chrysostom said, "Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them." Prayers for the dead are a powerful way to assist those who are being purified, even if we do not know their names.

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