The Solemnity of All Saints

Mass Readings

• First Reading Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
• Responsorial Psalm Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
• Second Reading 1 John 3:1-3
• Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a

Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →

Step Into the Story

The feast grew from the martyrs. In 609 A.D. Pope Boniface IV took the Pantheon, Rome’s temple to all the gods, and dedicated it to Mary and all the martyrs; by around 835 November 1 was kept far beyond Rome. The old temple of the gods became a church of the saints. Rome has a sense of humor. Today’s Revelation reading, written around 95 A.D. on Patmos under Domitian, shows the saints as a crowd no one can count, waving palms, the victory sign of the ancient world.

1. 63 B.C.Pompey takes Jerusalem
2. 4 B.C.Antipas rules Galilee
3. 14 A.D.Tiberius becomes emperor
4. c. 20 A.D.Antipas founds Tiberias
5. This week’s scene: c. 28 A.D.The Beatitudes

Go back to where the saints’ charter was first spoken: Galilee, early in the ministry, about 28 A.D. by most reckonings, under Herod Antipas, a son of old King Herod. Villagers here paid taxes to him, tithes to the Temple and rent to absentee landlords. Walk out from Capernaum, its houses built of black basalt, and climb the hillside above the lake. Look down on fishing boats and nets spread to dry. Feel the stony ground through your sandals.

The crowd has come from Galilee, the Ten Cities, Jerusalem, Judea and beyond the Jordan. Jesus sits down, as teachers did, and His disciples press in close. Find a place on the slope among them, fishermen and farmers, the poor and the grieving. Quiet your breathing. He opens His mouth to teach.

Encounter the Lord

Climb the hillside and sit among the crowd. The fishermen, the sick, the poor. Jesus sits down to teach, and the first word out of His mouth is “Blessed.” Not “try harder.” Blessed. Then He describes the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the pure of heart. Without saying so, He is painting His own portrait.

Every saint in that white-robed multitude of Revelation learned to look like this. They were not born holy; they let Him make them holy. Christ looks at you with the same hope. He does not see a finished saint. He sees one in progress, and He is not discouraged.

Choose one Beatitude this week and ask for that grace every morning. Pray each day to a saint you love, and on All Souls’ Day, pray by name for your own beloved dead.

Know Your Faith

The Communion of Saints

The communion of saints unites pilgrims on earth, those being purified after death, and the blessed in glory (CCC 954). It means communion in holy things, above all the Eucharist, and among holy persons (CCC 947-948).

The Intercession of the Saints

The saints, more closely united to Christ, do not cease to intercede for us (CCC 956), and we can and should ask them to pray for us (CCC 2683).

The Universal Call to Holiness

All Christians in every state of life are called to holiness (CCC 2013). The Beatitudes depict the face of Jesus Christ and have begun in the lives of Mary and all the saints (CCC 1717).

Praying With the Saints and for the Dead

Choose one saint to ask for prayers each day this week, and pray by name for your beloved dead; our prayer can help them (CCC 958).