Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass for All Souls’ Day at Fairfax Memorial Park in Fairfax Nov. 2. He reminded the congregation that the contemporary world is fleeting and that, while the passing of loved ones naturally brings sadness and grief, “there’s also a spirit of gratitude and joy and Thanksgiving” because of Scripture’s assurance that “the souls of the just are in the hand of God” and ”grace and mercy” are with them (Wis 3:1-9).
“In a special way throughout this month of November, we pray for all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith,” Bishop Burbidge said. “To pray for the dead is a sacred duty. It’s a spiritual work of mercy.
“I’m sure many of us had the experience at the final moments of death when we were with the persons we love hearing them say to us so peacefully, ‘Let me go to God. Let me go home,’ ” he said. “Faith and love allow us to say, ‘yes.’ ”
“How blessed are we as we gather around the altar today to pray for the faithful departed and to celebrate the great truth that unites us,” he said. “That by his own suffering and death and resurrection, Jesus was not defeated. He proved victorious and has turned suffering to glory and even death to life.”
“May we go forth as pilgrims on this earthly journey dying daily to self and rising with Christ and with faith and in joyful hope may we commend our loved ones to the love and mercy of God as we say together, eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon them,” Bishop Burbidge said. “May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.”
