All the Saints

Happy Feast of All Saints! This is the day where we celebrate all the saints, known and unknown: the Church Triumphant. We ask them to pray for us. I for one could use all the help I can get!

This day has been a feast since the sixth or seventh century, thanks to the abbots of Cluny, and it was fixed on November 1 in the Roman calendar by Pope Gregory III in the mid 8th century.

Normally, this is a holy day of obligation, meaning that all Catholics are required to attend Mass. However, this is dispensed this year for two reasons. In our archdiocese, we remain under dispensation due to the COVID pandemic. Also, many holy days of obligation are dispensed when they are on a Saturday or a Monday. Nevertheless, Francine and I will be attending (and serving!) Mass at Saint Ann church in Tacoma this evening at 5pm. We invite you to join us!

There have been occasions where I can feel the almost physical presence of the Saints close around me, particularly during the Sanctus of the Mass. It doesn’t happen particularly often, but when it does, it’s a real consolation to me.

Here is what Saint Bede the Venerable has to say about this day:

Today, beloved, we celebrate in the joy of one solemnity, the festival of All Saints, in whose companionship the heaven exults; in whose guardianship the earth rejoices; by whom triumphs the Holy Church is crowned; whose confession, as braver in its passion, is also brighter in its honor—because while the battle increased, the glory of them that fought in it was also augmented. And the triumph of martyrdom is adorned with the manifold kind of its torments, because the more severe the pangs, the more illustrious also were the rewards; while our Mother, the Catholic Church, was taught by her Head, Jesus Christ, not to fear contumely, affliction, death, and more and more strengthened—not by resistance, but by endurance—inspired all of that illustrious number who suffered imprisonment or torture, with one and equal ardor to fight the battle for triumphal glory.

O truly blessed Mother Church! so illuminated by the honor of divine condescension, so adorned by the glorious blood of triumphant martyrs, so decked with the inviolate confession of snow white virginity! Among its flowers neither roses nor lilies are wanting. Endeavor now, beloved, each for yourselves, in each kind of honor, to obtain your own dignity—crowns, snow white for chastity, or purple for passion. In those heavenly camps, both peace and war have their own flowers wherewith the soldiers of Christ are crowned.

For the ineffable and unbounded goodness of God has provided this also, that the time for labor and for agony should not be extended—not long, not enduring, but short, and, so to speak, momentary; that in this short and little life should be the pain and the labors, that in the life which is eternal should be the crown and the reward of merits; that the labors should quickly come to an end, but the reward of endurance should remain without end; that after the darkness of this world they should behold that most beautiful light, and should receive a blessedness greater than the bitterness of all passions; as the apostle beareth witness, when he saith, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.”

With how joyous a breast the heavenly city receives those that return from flight! How happily she meets them that bear the trophies of the conquered enemy! And with triumphant men, women also come, who rose superior both to this world, and to their sex, doubling the glory of their welfare; virgins with youths, who surpassed their tender years by their virtues. Yet not they alone, but the rest of the multitude of the faithful shall also enter the palace of that eternal court, who in peaceful union have observed the heavenly commandments, and have maintained the purity of the faith.

But above all these things is the being associated with the companies of angels and archangels, thrones and dominations, principalities and powers, and the enjoyment of the watches of all the celestial virtues—to behold the squadron of the saints, adorned with stars; the patriarchs, glittering with faith; the prophets, rejoicing in hope; the apostles, who in the twelve tribes of Israel, shall judge the whole world; the martyrs, decked with the purple diadems of victory; the virgins, also, with their wreaths of beauty. But of the King, who is in the midst, no words are able to speak. That beauty, that virtue, that glory, that magnificence, that majesty, surpasses every expression, every sense of the human mind. For it is greater than the glory of all saints; but to attain to that ineffable sight, and to be made radiant with the splendor of His countenance, it were worth while to suffer torment every day—it were worth while to endure hell itself for a season, so that we might behold Christ coming in glory, and be joined to the number of the saints; so is it not then well worth while to endure earthly sorrows, that we may be partakers of such good, and of such glory?

What, beloved brethren, will be the glory of the righteous; what that great gladness of the saints, when every face shall shine as the sun; when the Lord shall begin to count over in distinct orders His people, and to receive them into the kingdom of His Father, and to render to each the rewards promised to their merits and to their works—things heavenly for things earthly, things eternal for things temporal, a great reward for a little labor; to introduce the saints to the vision of His Father’s glory; and “to make them sit down in heavenly places,” to the end that God may be all in all; and to bestow on them that love Him that eternity which He has promised to them—that immortality for which He has redeemed them by the quickening of His own blood; lastly, to restore them to Paradise, and to open the kingdom of heaven by the faith and verity of His promise?

Let us consider that Paradise is our country, as well as theirs; and so we shall begin to reckon the patriarchs as our fathers. Why do we not, then, hasten and run, that we may behold our country and salute our parents? A great multitude of dear ones is there expecting us; a vast and mighty crowd of parents, brothers, and children, secure now of their own safety, anxious yet for our salvation, long that we may come to their right and embrace them, to that joy which will be common to us and to them, to that pleasure expected by our fellow servants as well as ourselves, to that full and perpetual felicity…. If it be a pleasure to go to them, let us eagerly and covetously hasten on our way, that we may soon be with them, and soon be with Christ; that we may have Him as our Guide in this journey, who is the Author of Salvation, the Prince of Life, the Giver of Gladness, and who liveth and reigneth with God the Father Almighty and with the Holy Ghost.

(Saint Bede the Venerable, Sermon 18. It appears as today’s lessons for Matins in the Divine Office of 1960)

Although not an official part of the liturgy for this day, it is traditional in many places in the world to sing or chant the Litany of the Saints on this day. This is one of my favourite chants.

Will you pray it with me?

Latin and Greek (original)	Englished
V. Kyrie, eléison.	V. Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Kyrie, eléison.	R. Lord, have mercy upon us.
V. Christe, eléison.	V. Christ, have mercy upon us.
R. Christe, eléison.	R. Christ, have mercy upon us.
V. Kyrie, eléison.	V. Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Kyrie, eléison.	R. Lord, have mercy upon us.
V. Pater de cælis, Deus.	V. O God the Father of heaven.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Fili, Redémptor mundi, Deus.	V. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Spíritus Sancte, Deus.	V. O God the Holy Spirit.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Sancta Trínitas, unus Deus.	V. O Holy Trinity, one God.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Sancta María.	V. Holy Mary.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancta Dei Génetrix.	V. Holy Mother of God.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancta Virgo vírginum.	V. Holy Virgin of virgins.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancti Michael, Gabriel, et Raphaël.	V. Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Omnes sancti Angeli.	V. All ye holy Angels.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Abraham.	V. Saint Abraham.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Ioánnes Baptista.	V. Saint John the Baptist.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Iosephe.	V. Saint Joseph.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Omnes sancti Patriárchæ et Prophetæ.	V. All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancti Petre et Paule.	V. Saints Peter and Paul.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Andrea.	V. Saint Andrew.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancti Ioánnes et Iacobe.	V. Saints John and James.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Matthæe.	V. Saint Matthew.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Omnes sancti Apóstoli.	V. All ye holy Apostles.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Marce.	V. Saint Mark.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte María Magdalena.	V. Saint Mary Magdalene.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Omnes sancti Discípuli Dómini.	V. All ye holy Disciples of the Lord.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Stephane.	V. Saint Stephen.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Ignati.	V. Saint Ignatius of Antioch.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Polycarpe.	V. Saint Polycarp.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Iustine.	V. Saint Justin Martyr.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Laurénti.	V. Saint Lawrence.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancta Agnes.	V. Saint Agnes.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Omnes sancti Mártyres.	V. All ye holy Martyrs.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancti Leo et Gregóri.	V. Saints Leo and Gregory.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Ambrósi.	V. Saint Ambrose.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Augustine.	V. Saint Augustine.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancti Basili et Gregóri.	V. Saints Basil and Gregory Nazienzen.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Benedicte.	V. Saint Benedict.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Ioánnes María.	V. Saint John Mary Vianney.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Terésia.	V. Saint Teresa of Avila.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Sancte Elísabeth.	V. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.
R. Ora pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Omnes Sancti et Sanctæ Dei.	V. All ye Holy, Righteous, and Elect of God.
R. Orate pro nobis.	R. Pray for us.
V. Propitius esto.	V. Be thou merciful.
R. Líbera nos, Dómine.	R. Good Lord, deliver us.
V. Ab omni malo.	V. From all evil.
R. Líbera nos, Dómine.	R. Good Lord, deliver us.
V. A morte perpetua.	V. From everlasting damnation.
R. Líbera nos, Dómine.	R. Good Lord, deliver us.
V. Per Incarnatiónis tuæ.	V. By thy Holy Incarnation.
R. Líbera nos, Dómine.	R. Good Lord, deliver us.
V. Per sanctam resurrectiónem tuam.	V. By thy holy Resurrection.
R. Líbera nos, Dómine.	R. Good Lord, deliver us.
V. Per refusionem Spíritus Sancti.	V. By the coming of the Holy Spirit.
R. Líbera nos, Dómine.	R. Good Lord, deliver us.
V. Christe Fili Dei vivi.	V. Christ, Son the living God.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Qui in hunc mundum venísti.	V. He who was to come into this world.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Qui in mortem propter nos accepísti.	V. He who chose to die for us.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Qui a mortuis resurresxísti.	V. He who rose from the dead.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Qui Spíritum Sanctum in Apostolos misisti.	V. He who sent the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Qui ventúrus es iúdicare vivos et mortuos.	V. He who will come again to judge the living and the dead.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Ut nobis parcas.	V. That it may please thee to spare us.
R. Te rogamus, audi nos.	R. We beseech thee to hear us, Lord.
V. Ut nobis indulgeas.	V. That it may please thee to pity and pardon us.
R. Te rogamus, audi nos.	R. We beseech thee to hear us, Lord.
V. Ut Ecclésiam tuam sanctam regere et conservare dignéris.	V. That it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church.
R. Te rogamus, audi nos.	R. We beseech thee to hear us, Lord.
V. Ut omnes homines ad Evangelíi lumen perdúcere dignéris.	V. That it may please thee to bring all people into the light of the Gospel.
R. Te rogamus, audi nos.	R. We beseech thee to hear us, Lord.
V. Christe, audi nos.	V. O Christ, hear us.
R. Christe, audi nos.	R. O Christ, hear us.
V. Christe, exáudi nos.	V. O Christ, graciously hear us.
R. Christe, exáudi nos.	R. O Christ, graciously hear us.
V. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi.	V. Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi.	V. Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi.	V. Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.
R. Miserére nobis.	R. Have mercy upon us.
V. Christe, audi nos.	V. O Christ, hear us.
R. Christe, audi nos.	R. O Christ, hear us.
V. Christe, exáudi nos.	V. O Christ, graciously hear us.
R. Christe, exáudi nos.	R. O Christ, graciously hear us.
V. Kyrie, eléison.	V. Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Christe, eléison. Kyrie, eléison.	R. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

Amen.