Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over a Mass at the Pro-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate to commemorate the departure of all the faithful, and offer Mass on their behalf and for the forgotten souls in purgatory. Many Bishops, Vicars, and priests also concelebrated the Mass, which was attended by LPJ Employees and other Catholic institutes in Jerusalem, as well as several consecrated women and faithful.
Death comes like a thief without a warning! And while sadness fills our hearts due to the spirit of death ravaging the land, yet the Catholic Church united in prayer and communion lifting their prayers on the behalf for the souls of their loved ones who have passed. Upon gazing on the Cross…The hope of the resurrection gets reignited amidst the pain and suffering! The early Catholic Church has continued commemorating the union between the departed souls of the believers with the Passover mystery, which proceeds from the certainty that those who believe and get baptized pass from the darkness of death to the light of Eternal life.
“Today is indeed a day of sorrow but also a day of hope,” said Mgr Pizzaballa. “The love, with which we love all those who have departed is an integral part of God’s love for them, so we must remember all those who have left us with a heart full of certainty of meeting them in the afterlife, in the kingdom of God,” H.B. added, reminding the believers of God’s plan of salvation them and their loved ones.
Mr. Amer, director of the financial Department at the Patriarchate, said: “On this day we remember all our relatives and friends whom we shared many memories with and have departed to Eternal life with Christ. We commemorate this day once a year but we should also meditate on its significance throughout the year, as it would help us fix our eyes on the truth: that we were made from dust, and to dust we will return. So we can persevere to live according to Christ’s greatest commandament – You shall love the Lord your God…..You shall love your neighbor as yourself -. The Church also celebrates the Feast of All Saints the day before, which encourages us to pursue a life of holiness and sanctification, remembering that all worldly things will perish, “he ended.
“Today we remember that we are indeed pilgrims on this earth and we raise our prayers united with all the souls that preceded us,” said the consecrated Anna-Marie from France, explaining the importance and power of collective prayers.
By: Miral Atik
