All souls day observed with utmost devotion at St. John’s Parish Pangla

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/Shankerpura, 05 Nov 2016: A large number of faithful prayed at the graves of the departed at the cemetery of St. John’s Evangelist church Pangla. Prior to the blessings of the cemetery, Holy Eucharistic Mass was held concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza (Parish Priest) with Rev. Fr. Vincent Coello (Principal St. John’s PU College) and Deacon Jencil Alva.

 

While All Saints Day is a day that Catholics remember those who have already entered heaven, All Souls’ Day is a day to pray for all loved ones who have died. In particular, Catholics remember the souls of those who are caught in purgatory, undergoing a process of purification before entering heaven.

 

The Catholic Church teaches that “all who die in God’s grace, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.”

 

 

One of the most famous prayers for those in purgatory is the prayer of St. Gertrude the Great of the 13th century German Benedictine nun. According to tradition, God revealed to the nun that the following prayer would release 1,000 souls from purgatory every time it is said:

 

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

 

Based on this belief the 1st day of the November observed as All Souls Day in Catholic Calendar. All parishes all over the world hold Holy Eucharist Mass prior to blessings of the cemetery and the graves of the departed. Though the mass is not obligatory but large number of faithful attend the mass.

 

At St. John’s Evangelist Church Holy Mass was held at 7.00am followed by procession in prayer led to the cemetery. A brief prayer service and blessings of the cemetery was conducted by Fr. Leslie D’Souza along with Fr. Vincent Coello and Brother Jencil Alva.

 

After the prayer service all family members gathered at the graves of their respective departed family members while the priests blessed the entire graves of the departed.