“…the Church invites us to commemorate all the faithful departed, to turn our eyes to the many faces who have gone before us and who have ended their earthly journey…during these days we go to the cemetery to pray for the loved ones who have left us, as it were paying a visit to show them, once more, our love, to feel them still close, remembering also, and article of the creed: in the communion of saints there is a close bond between us who are still walking here upon the earth and those many brothers and sisters who have already entered eternity.
“Human beings have always cared for their dead and sought to give them a sort of second life through attention, care and affection, In a way, we want to preserve their experience of life; and paradoxically by looking at their graves, before which countless memories return, we discover how they lived, what they loved, what they feared, what they hoped for and what they hated, They are almost a mirror of their world.”
This day Terry and I begin a 30 day retreat, aware of all the Holy Souls who have laid the foundations of the Church, and those who have given us life as individuals. We remember the words of Samoan poet Albert Wendt: “Our ancestors are the beautiful robes our souls wear.”
Those ancestors may be beyond our limited vision, but they are still with us both physically and spiritually. Thank you for this reminder.
Joy & Terry know that I am with you, united prayer, especially as you journey with Ignatius over the next month.