Some thoughts as we mark All Saints’ Day.
There’s a long running fad which has also found its way on Facebook when someone announces the death of a relative. Now, he is at peace, he is with God in Heaven, he is no longer suffering at last, he is now joyful above with the saints, he is happy where he is.
They’re words meant to comfort. But they actually confuse. Worse, as Catholic experts assert, there is heresy in such attempts to console, because they cancel the reality of Purgatory.
In Medjugorje, the Blessed Mother had said that most people who die land in Purgatory, a place of purgation for those who have been saved from eternal damnation but still have to be cleansed from the smear of their forgiven sins, because nothing imperfect can be allowed in Heaven.
The official teaching is that those in Purgatory can’t help themselves and that only those of us on earth can by asking God, praying to God to please hasten their deliverance from purgation. That’s why we are urged to pray for the dead, that’s why we mark All Saints’ Day.
Not all the “saints” are in Heaven. Many are still in Purgatory. To comfort the bereaved and perhaps convince them that their departed are indeed satisfied, at peace and are deliriously happy in Heaven would be to push the dead to dire helplessness. The bereaved is comforted at the expense of the ones who really need more help.
And then, making All Saints’ Day so much of American Halloween, when the dead as horror is commercialized supposedly for fun especially for kids. There’s reason why many priests frown on this type of Halloween. Or horror movies for that matter.
Commercializing horror, in costumes or media, makes death itself horrifying. It snubs the phrase “and life everlasting” in the Apostle’s Creed. Especially among children who are allowed to wear vampire and zombie costumes, it transforms death into case of unbridled horror.
It cancels the bliss of Heaven after death in the psyche of those who have been brought up through Halloweens dominated by terrifying denizens. It’s therefore good that the Holy Angel University and Bishop Ambo David are pursuing their crusade for children to wear costumes of saints instead of ghouls for Halloween parties.
Both want the practice to eventually catch on nationwide. All Saints’ Day is also time to reflect on the many messages the Blessed Mother has conveyed from Medjugorje. The last message so far, given last Oct. 25, is as follows:
“Dear children! Pray in this time of grace and seek the intercession of all the saints who are already in the light. From day to day may they be an example and encouragement to you on the way of your conversion. Little children, be aware that your life is short and passing.
Therefore, yearn for eternity and keep preparing your hearts in prayer. I am with you and intercede before my Son for each of you, especially for those who have consecrated themselves to me and to my Son. Thank you for having responded to my call. “
