Forever In Our Hearts

Every 2nd day of November we honor our beloved dead as we commemorate All Souls Day. Since it’s pandemic, here in Davao City we cannot visit the cemetery on said date because of its closing that began last October 24 till November 7, 2021 which was mandated by the city government in order to avoid influx of visitors that might be the cause of spreading COVID-19. So, instead we can attend mass, offer our prayers and light a candle for our departed loved ones on said occasion and visit their graves after the scheduled closing dates.

On another note, this year’s all souls day is the tenth year that my family commemorates the passing of my beloved husband. As the years go by the pain lessens but the happy memories we had with him still lingers and is forever in our hearts. He was a compassionate husband, a good provider, a dedicated father to our two daughters, a loving son and brother.

Losing someone is not that easy but accepting God’s will and hoping that our loved one is in a better place is a comfort for those who are left behind. Finding solace from supportive family and friends on those trying times eases the burden of such demise.

As we remember our beloved dead may we include them in our prayer intentions not only during all souls day but also everyday. Below is a Daily Prayer For The Holy Souls that I would like to share with you that was posted at www.catholic.org:

Immortal God, holy Lord,
Father and Protector of all You have created, we raise our hearts to You today for those who have passed out of this mortal life.
In Your loving mercy, Father of all,
be pleased to receive them in Your heavenly company, and forgive the failings and faults they may have done from human frailty.
Your only Son, Christ, our Saviour,
suffered so cruelly that He might deliver them from the second death.
By his merits may they share in the glory
of His victory over sin and death.

For all the faithful who have died we pray,
but in particular for those dear to us,
parents, relatives and friends.
nor do we forget all who did good to us while on earth, who helped us by their prayers, sacrifice and example.
We pray also for any who may have done us harm, and stand in special need of Your forgiveness.
May the merits and prayers of our Virgin Mother, Mary, and those of all the Angels and Saints, speak for us and assist them now.

This we ask in Christ’s name. Amen.

“It is not Death that will come to fetch me, it is the good God. Death is no phantom, no horrible specter, as presented in pictures. In the catechism it is stated that death is the separation of soul and body, that is all! Well, I am not afraid of a separation which will unite me to the good God forever.” – St. Therese of Lisieux