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The Solemnity of All Saints

by Fr. Jerome Cayetano  |  11/01/2026  |  The WORD in other words

Since November 1 is the Solemnity of All Saints, the liturgy, and the readings for the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time are set aside to give preference to the liturgy and readings proper to Solemnities. In this Solemnity, we focus our attention on the Church Triumphant: the holy men and women who enjoy the beatific vision of God.

Let us be mindful that the Church, the people of God are divided into three main categories: The Church triumphant, the Church militant/or pilgrim on earth, and the Church suffering, the souls who are in purgatory. These parts belong to one body of Christ; therefore, they are intimately connected with each other.

On the solemnity of All Saints, we hear the "Beatitudes of Jesus" taken from the Gospel of Matthew. The "Saints" whether they canonized, beatified or not officially proclaimed/acclaimed by the Church to be holy are good people who lived literally the "beatitudes". Foremost, they did acknowledge that they need and hunger for God, which I believe is the foundation of holiness, goodness, and perfection. As Jesus aptly puts it: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven". Every saint or holy person has accepted and acknowledged that God is the only source of holiness, goodness and perfection; and that he or she is called to participate, cooperate and appropriate in that gift of salvation. Saints, according to the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrew are "so great a cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1) who have persevered the race and now enjoy the unfading crown of God's glory.

What challenge for us is in the Solemnity of All Saints? First, God has destined all of us to be with him in eternity. He desires to share his divine life with all of us. He has done his part to save us from our sins through the incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Saints are the examples of those who have generously responded to this invitation and have been found worthy of Heaven. Thus, we must focus our full attention on the ethereal or heavenly things. Our residence in this world is temporary; we have a permanent residence or mansion in heaven which the Father has prepared for us. Second, as citizens of the Kingdom, let us ask the intercessions of the Saints that we may remain faithful and always committed to God; and that we may also persevere to the end. Third, the Saints are examples of holiness and perfection, let us try to imitate and emulate their virtues so that we will be able to please God and become worthy of heaven. Finally, last night was "Halloween", which is the eve of "All Saints". It is a reminder that we must strive to be holy like God every day of our lives.

Tomorrow, we will also commemorate "All Souls Day". It is an opportunity for us to perform one of the spiritual works of mercy, which is to pray for the living and the dead. Let us show that we are one Body of Christ united with the Church Suffering, the souls in purgatory by our prayers and acts of charity.