Archbishop recalls that 'death is illuminated by the faith'

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov 2, 2010 / 11:53 am

In a message commemorating the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, Archbishop Jose Luis Mollaghan reminded Catholics that “for Christians, death is illuminated by the faith.”

The feast days take place each year on Nov. 1 and 2.

Archbishop Mollaghan said, “On the feast of All Saints, the Church invites us to turn our eyes to heaven and contemplate the multitude of men and women of every people and nation who are with God.”  It is an opportunity to “pray for the sanctification of the Argentinean people and for the glorification of God’s servants,” he added.

Referring to the feast of All Souls, the archbishop recommended that the faithful “visit cemeteries and pray for the dead.  In this way we remember our loved ones, knowing that they have not been forgotten and are not gone forever.”

“We don’t visit a cemetery as if we were going to a museum or an art gallery, but rather for Christians, death is illuminated by the faith.  The cemetery is a place for silence and for remembering our loved ones in prayer. It is the final resting place for those who shared their lives with us and who await the Resurrection,” the archbishop said.