In Remembrance: Loretto Honors All Saints and All Souls
Posted on November 1, 2021, by Loretto Community
“I Am the Way,” Loretto’s Constitutions, tells us that the same Spirit who inspired and guided our founders gathers us in community today. We walk with all those “Friends of Mary” who for more than two centuries have followed them in a life of praise, prayer and service.
Loretto honors all saints and prays for all the departed throughout the year, but particularly during the month of November. The Solemnity of All Saints, on Nov. 1, is a day we join with the Church in remembering all the saints and martyrs who went before us and ask them to pray for us to one day join them in heaven. That celebration is followed by All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, in which Catholics and many others pray for all departed souls.
“Gain souls, draw souls, court souls, shelter souls.”
prayer of Father Nerinckx, priest founder of the Sisters of Loretto
What makes a person a saint or a holy soul? “I Am the Way,” Loretto Constitutions, says, “Transformation in the Spirit, in accordance with the Gospel, continues throughout life. Each of us is co-responsible for creating a community which is beneficial for all.”
This November, we especially remember our deceased Loretto members, in particular those who have died from this past November until now, and the gifts they shared. They are all saints in our eyes. Whether they taught school or worked in a soup kitchen, whether they worked as nurses or delivered food to families who are poor, whatever they did for the greater glory of God, “they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.” (Wis 3:5)
Let us pray together:
Gracious God,
may our Loretto Community members live forever in the splendor of your light and life
in the company of all the saints.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
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