The Feast of All Souls’ Day, when we remember and pray for the dead, has weighted significance this year when so many have died of COVID-19 and the pandemic’s restrictions has prevented usual funeral services and final goodbyes in person. About 228,000 people in the United States alone have died of COVID-19.As that number continues to rise, it is no surprise that on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, many parishes and dioceses are remembering these deaths with Masses, prayers or special altars. One of the most fundamental features of our faith is the belief in the communion between the living and the dead. Yesterday, we celebrated the Feast of All Saints who lived the Beatitudes of Christ and followed him on the path of faithful discipleship. They participated in God’s redemptive work of restoring all things in Christ and making his Kingdom of truth, goodness and light a reality in the world. Thus, a saint is not a someone motivated merely by an afterlife reward or a self-centered bliss. Sainthood is a summons to active faithful discipleship and mission. The saints inspire us and intercede for us so that we too live the Beatitudes of Christ and bring God’s vision to fulfilment.

Today we express our communion with those who are still in the process of purification before the beatific vision. We remember them in the celebration of All Souls. The bonds of love between the living and the dead are not broken by death. Our love for them and their love for us endure. Sadness, sorrow, grief may fill us the living, but that is a reminder of their presence and love in our lives. The Word of God today gives us comfort, hope and strength as we move forward in our pilgrimage of faith.