Use Your Common Saints

The saints are men and women who have joy in their hearts and spread it to others. --Pope Francis

  

Saints are just like us. They come from all walks of life and from all over the world. They weren’t born saints, they weren’t perfect, but ordinary people who lived ordinary lives.

We are inspired—not by glorified versions of saints’ lives—but by how they chose to do the right thing in trying times.


All Souls Day

In the ninth century, Pope Gregory IV designated November 1 (All Saints Day) as the day on which to remember all the saints living in God?s presence. Over time the practice of remembering saints grew to include remembering other outstanding Christians on the days on which they died. Christians have always believed that the prayers and good deeds of the living could help these departed in their purification. In the eleventh century, the abbot of Cluny, the largest Benedictine monastery, designated November 2 as a special day to pray for all monks who had died and for all of the other departed who are not yet living fully in God?s presence. This day is still celebrated as All Souls Day.

Lesson plans for All Saints Day and All Souls Day