Saturday November 2, 2024
COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS)
Office: Of the dead
Mass prop. Preface of the Dead
Vestment: Violet
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mystery
Vespers I of the 31st Sunday of the year
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
Theme of the Feast: TEACH US TO COUNT OUR DAYS.
Death must be thought of as a light that guides us through our lives so that our decisions may always be wise and righteous, leading us to embody the beatitudes.
COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS DAY):
Today we remember in a special way our loved ones, who have preceded us into eternal life especially, Rev Fr. Festus Ogbonmwan, MRS BRIDGET EMWANTA, Hon. Godfrey Emwanta, MRS. FELICITAS SHOLABOMI ROBINSON,Victoria Akpene, Louis Emwanta, Michael Afemefuna, Mr. James Ipuole Ogbaji, Mrs. Rose Riwo Ogbaji, James Otie, Mr. Ogmadewu Odey, Emmanuel O. Odey, Emmanuel Amen, Precious Abutu, Felicia Abutu, Samuel Emonena, Gladys Emonena, Cecilia Emonena, Akpobome Omamuyovwi, Pa Williams Jimoh, Mrs. Catherine Williams, Alice Williams, Mark Williams, Mr. Augustine Friday Nwatu, Mr. Moses Ejimofer Nwatu, Benedict Osezua Eigbegbea, Justine Ekwonna, Jude Eigbegbea, Dominic Amatu, Mr. Sylvanus A. Undiandeye, Hon. Anslem Undiandeye, Mrs. Lucy Udama Akoli, Joseph Anale, Mr. Abdgim Undiandeye, Ada Uzor, Igwe Isaiah Uzor, Ignatius Nwokoro, Agnes Nwokoro, Anthony Nwokoro, Nicholas Mbakogu, Martina Mbakogu, Angelina Mmaduko, Ike Okoye, Atule Momoh, Honorio Kayode Clement, Mattew A. Idehen, Paul Idehen, Dr. Michael Gorip Gotep, Engr. Wurusibewei E. Edwin, Wurusibewei Andrew, Patricia Ebi Akpe, Mr. Gabriel Anaedo, Mrs. Monica Ezidinma Okonkwo, Oigbochie Vincent, Fashanu Opeyemi, Shola Shanubi, Mariam Odunsakin, Micheal Odusakin, Patrick Sule, Maria Patrick, Sabastian Patrick, Patrick Jr, Amina Okewu, Gabriel Akubo, Francis Haruna, Martha Omadaga, Regina Enuwa Iwodi, Silvanus Akwugbo, Martha Omadaga Obochi, Iwodi Simon Ekoja, Udah Emmanuel, Mr, Damian Nwoko, Mary Yohanna Laura, Mr Augustine Musa, Mr. Habila D.D Akawu, Rev. Fr. David Talon, Ndulue Ikenna, Rosaline Ndulue, David Ikegwuonu, Emmanuel Ekwupulum, Michael Obioha, Theresa Obioha, Mr and Mrs Aloy Dyke, Pa Stephen Ehimare Ohenhenlen, David T. Adzenda, Rose Y. Adzenda, Tivna Adzenda, Pa Isekenegbe, Chidiebubu Aliozor, Love Aminu, Solomon Aliozor, Cecilia Nworah, Anulika Ude, Mrs. Jacinta Mary Gande, Ojotule Miracle,Madam Benedicta Matthew Akpan, Evelyn Atop Ntui,G.E Edet, Chief Emmanuel Mmogbana, Chief Jerome Onwudiwe, Sir Felix Asemota, Pa Idiaghe, OHERI ROLAND, Rose Agbaka, Charles Issac Agbaka, ANTHONY AGBAKA, Michael Agbaka, Cecilia Agbaka, Elizabeth Oheri, Austin Arah, Joseph Agbaka, Aborted babies, Souls in Purgatory and all our departed loved ones too numerous to mention.
Our remembering is not done with the grief like those who have no hope. Rather, we do so in a spirit of faith and hope, knowing that the faithful departed share in the resurrection of Christ and live in communion with us.
FIRST READING
He accepted them like a sacrificial burnt offering.
A reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 3:1-9c)
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 23: 1-3, 4, 5, 6 (R/.1 or 4)
R/. The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
OR: Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil would I fear,
for you are with me.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me;
he revives my soul. R/.
He guides me along the right path,
for the sake of his name.
Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R/.
R/. The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
OR: Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil would I fear,
for you are with me.
You have prepared a table before me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. R/.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for length of days unending. R/.
SECOND READING
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 5:5-11)
“Since we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”
Brethren: Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man— though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25
Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.
OR
Come, O blessed of my Father, says the Lord; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 5: 1-12a)
At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
OR
GOSPEL READING
Every one who believes in the Son should have eternal life, and will raise him up at the last day.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 6:37-40)
At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. For I have. come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me; and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
The Gospel of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
By his death, Christ the Lord ransomed us from eternal death; and by his rising to new life, the door of everlasting life has been opened unto us. Let us pray that all who have died may enjoy God’s mercy and be granted eternal rest with him.
FOR DEPARTED SOULS: that our family members, loved ones and parishioners who have died may find eternal rest with the Lord. We pray O Lord
FOR SOULS IN PURGATOY: that through the infinite mercy of God, they may obtain forgiveness of sins together with the remission of the penalties due them, and be led into eternal communion with God. We pray O Lord.
FOR THE PASTORS OF THE CHURCH: that through their sacred ministry, all persons may come to greater awareness of the brevity of life on earth, and may seek to be better prepared for eternal life with God. We pray O Lord.
FOR MEMBERS OF OUR WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY: that we may always seek holiness of life, and at the point of our departure from this earthly life, that God may grant us the grace of a happy death. We pray O Lord
FOR THOSE WHO ARE BEREAVED: that the Lord may grant them consolation and the fortitude they need to accept the death of their loved ones. We pray O Lord
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
God our Father, it is your will that all your children return to you after their sojourn here on earth. In your mercy, grant forgiveness and eternal rest to those who have died. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Death does not have the final say because Christ has conquered death. St Paul teaches us that death came as a consequences of the sin of one man – Adam. And we his progeny suffered this consequence with no power to overcome it. But one alone has this power to overcome death: The Son of God who took on human flesh in the hypostatic union. Jesus Christ underwent and conquered death, and so too will all who are united as one flesh with him. Left on our own, we would be powerless to conquer death but, united as one with him, we are sure to conquer. Let us unite ourselves to Christ in faith, in Baptism and in the Holy Eucharist, and be assured of a place at the right hand of God, where Christ our Head is; for where the head is, there the body is sure to be.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
If he had not believed that the dead would be raised, it would have been foolish and useless to pray for them. – 2 Maccabees 12:44
Merciful Father, hear our prayer and console us, as we renew our faith in Your Son, whom You raised from the dead, strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in His resurrection, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
- Dear Lord, I thank you for this day, I thank you for my being able to see and hear this morning. I am blessed because you are a forgiving and an understanding God.
Let Us Pray
Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him/her. May he/she rest in peace. Amen.
May almighty God bless us with his peace and strength, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
