ALL SOULS DAY. REMEMBER THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY.

THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED.

"Jesus said to the crowds:

“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,

and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,

because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.

And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,

but that I should raise it on the last day.

For this is the will of my Father,

that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life,

and I shall raise him on the last day.” (John 6: 37 - 40).

Sunday 2nd November 2025  in the 31st Week in Ordinary Time is the Commemoration of all the holy souls in Purgatory.

Jesus prays, yearns, cries for the salvation of all men and women.

The loving mercy of God makes this possible through the providential existence of Purgatory.

Without Purgatory, only a few people will be saved. Without Purgatory, Christian Hope will be very thin.

When we pray in the Creed: "I believe in life everlasting", we should thank God for Purgatory.

The Church teaches from the very beginning that:
"All who die in God's grace and friendship, 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." (CCC 1030).

Where do people go for the cleansing or purification after they take their last breath and close their eyes in death?

"The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned." (CCC 1031).

The unbelievers think that the dead are lost and would decay in the ground like organic matters.

They do not believe that man has a soul. But the word of God answers the unbelievers thus:

"They [the dead] seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;

and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace." (Wisdom 3: 2 - 3).

PURGATORY: ONLY GOD CAN MEND A BROKEN EGG.

We celebrate the feast of All Souls because the Church teaches that the souls in Purgatory can benefit from our prayers.

The Book of Wisdom, our first Reading gives us the end game of Divine Providence on the Souls in Purgatory:

"Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself." (Wisdom 3: 5 - 6).

"My intercession is everlasting even in the glory of eternity because I chose to keep the wounds in My hands and in My feet and in My side.

They constitute an uninterrupted pleading for the sake of all:

for those in glory that they may go from light to light and from sweetness to sweetness;

for those on earth that they may find in My wounds healing, purity, and holiness;

and for the souls in purgatory that by the merits of My holy wounds they may be refreshed and delivered."  (IN SINU JESU, Friday, March 28, 2008).

Remember the Poor Souls in Purgatory daily in your prayers.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click,

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS.

THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS. 

"I, John, saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. 

He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea,

 “Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

 I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the children of Israel.

After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. 

They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

 They cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.”

All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures.

 They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed:

“Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanks­giving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”

 I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.”

 He said to me, “These are the ones who have sur­vived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7: 2 - 4, 9 - 14).

In the vision from Revelations, the two elders asked John: “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”

These are the Saints whose feast we celebrate today. 

The Church venerates in one huge celebration the merits of All the Saints. From Abel the Just to the newest Saint who enters Paradise Now. 

“These are the ones who have sur­vived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.”

The Saints are now in Heaven enjoying the reward that Jesus Christ promised.

What is Heaven?

 "Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness." (CCC 1024).

The Saints tell us that our experience of Heaven begins right here and now. 

Our Baptism makes us children of God.

 If you are in sanctifying grace, you experience the presence of the Blessed Trinity living in you. 

What does this mean? You enjoy to the extent of your capacity the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. 

This is what the Saints in Heaven enjoy all the time.

 St Catherine of Siena says that the joy of Heaven begins here and all the way to eternity.

Jesus promises that He is glorified when we honor His saints. Communion of Saints is one of the most powerful and comforting doctrines in the Church.

 You can have many of the saints as close friends. These friend-saints take your petitions to the Prince of Saints who has promised to be favorable to their intercessions on your behalf.

All the Saints come from all races, countries, backgrounds and occupations. They give us powerful example and motivation to imitate them.

Become a Saint. Become holy.

November is the Month the Church prays for and honors the Poor Souls in Purgatory. 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

THE LAST DAY OF OCTOBER.

ANOTHER SABBATH CONTROVERSY. 

"On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, 

and the people there were observing him carefully. 

In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.

 Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” 

But they kept silent; 

so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. 

Then he said to them,

 “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?”

 But they were unable to answer his question." (Luke 14: 1 - 6).

Friday October 31st, the end of the beautiful month of October. 

Jesus might have known that the invitation to dine in the house of this prominent Pharisee on the Sabbath is a trap.

 He accepted the invitation and went. 

Sure enough there was a man there suffering from dropsy (a type of severe skin inflammation). 

 Jesus went on the offensive:  “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?”

Why did they keep silent?  Probably because of malicious intent. 

 They did not care for the condition of the man with dropsy and watched intently to see what Jesus would do on the Sabbath. They consider any type of medical care on the Sabbath forbidden.

Some days ago, we read:

"Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. 

 And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect."  (Luke 13: 10 - 11).

The Pharisees and the law makers opposed her healing. Jesus sees another teaching moment in the house of the Pharisee.

 God gave us the Sabbath Rest to bless mankind and not to handicap him.

 The teachers of the law know as much. They rescue animals which fall into wells on the Sabbath.

 Man is worth more than animals. That is why the Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath.

Keep holy the Lord's Day. The Sabbath is a rehearsal for eternal life.

October is the Holy Rosary Month. Today is the last day of the beautiful Month of October. 

- St. Alphonsus Liguori: "Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the most Holy Rosary." 

This highlights the Rosary’s spiritual efficacy"

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October and every day of the year! 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

ARE YOU A FRIEND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

FOR THE PERSON WHO LOVES GOD, EVERYTHING IS A BLESSING. 

"Brothers and sisters: 

The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; 

for we do not know how to pray as we ought, 

But the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.

 And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, 

who are called according to his purpose.

 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, 

so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

 And those he predestined he also called; 

and those he called he also justified; 

and those he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8: 26 - 30).

Wednesday October 29th in the 30th Week in Ordinary Time.

The Spirit prays in us.  This is the great promise and gift of Prayer. Are you aware of this promise? Do you ask the Holy Spirit to help you to pray well?

The Spirit of God knows the mind of God. He knows the plan of God for our life. The Spirit knows the providences of God laid out for our entire life. Yes for today, Wednesday 29th October 2025 in the 30th Week in Ordinary Time.

The best thing we can do is to befriend the Holy Spirit. 

Writing of the Holy Spirit St Basil, the great Father of the Church writes:

"From the Spirit comes foreknowledge of the future, 

understanding of the mysteries of faith,

 insight into the hidden meaning of Scripture,

 and other special gifts.

 Through the Spirit we become citizens of heaven, 

we enter into eternal happiness, 

and abide in God.

 Through the Spirit we acquire a likeness to God; 

indeed, we attain what is beyond our most sublime aspirations –

 we become God." (St Basil).

To learn more about the Holy Spirit click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-abc-of-holy-spirit.html?m=1

OCTOBER IS THE MONTH DEDICATED TO THE HOLY ROSARY. THE MIRACLES MONTH. 

- Blessed Alan de la Roche: 

"Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world."

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

THE CHOICE AND THE CALL OF THE APOSTLES.

THE CHOICE AND THE CALL OF THE APOSTLES.

"Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.

 When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:

 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.." (Luke 6: 12 - 16).

Tuesday October 28th 2025 in the 30th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles. 

They are among the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus in today's Gospel. 

 "Tradition has it that they preached in Mesopotamia and Persia and there were martyred." (Roman Missal). 

St Jude is a very popular Saint. He is the patron saint of lost and impossible causes.

Jesus called the 12 after a  night spent in prayer to His heavenly Father. 

He chose twelve men who had been with Him from the Baptism of John.

 He chose them to become the pillar and foundation of the truth, the Church. (1 Timothy 3: 15).

Jesus built His worldwide Church on the foundation of the Apostles and prophets.

 Each year, we celebrate the glory of Saints Simon and Jude and the other Apostles

Why do we not celebrate the glory of Caesar, King Henry VIII, Napoleon, Churchill or Stalin? 

The message of the Apostles still goes out throughout the world. (Cf Mark 16: 20).

It is the mind of Christ that the Church He founded be built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. (Cf Ephesians 2: 20).

What are the characteristics of this Church by which she can be recognized all over the world? 

There are four marks of the Church. 

We profess every Sunday in the Apostles' Creed that the Church is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. What do these words mean?

#1 One:  One faith, one Baptism, one Shepherd.

#2 Holy: The Holy Spirit that indwells the Church is the source of her holiness. The Holy Spirit continually cleanses the Bride of Christ from defilements.

In every Liturgy of the Mass, the Church confesses her sins as individuals and as a family. 

#3 Catholic: Means Universal. Found in all the countries of the United Nations and in every other place of human habitation.

I watched the closing Mass of the Synod led by Pope Francis in Rome  on Sunday, October 27, 2024, in St. Peter’s Basilica. 

 There were Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Laity from all over the world.

This is an amazing testimony that the Catholic Church is the true Church founded by Jesus Christ. 

#4 Apostolic:  Every Bishop is directly traceable to the original 12 Apostles who were constituted in today's Gospel.

 Many Bishops would have their lines run through Saints Simon and Jude, our saints of today.

"Simon and Jude are the holy men whom the Lord chose in his own perfect love; to them he gave eternal glory." (Cf Entrance Antiphon).

October is the Holy Rosary Month. 

"As for you, dear son of mine, persevere in praying to me. Hold fast to my Rosary and beware of every ploy of the Evil One to separate you from it.

 My Rosary is your safeguard and your weapon in the fight against the forces of evil. At the same time, for you it is a remedy and a comfort. Do you not see how the Rosary has stabilized you?

 Do you not experience its healing and all its benefits? Pray my Rosary and teach others to do the same." (IN SINU JESU).

Say the Holy Rosary every day in October. 

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1

MY DAUGHTER, YOU ARE SET FREE!

JESUS HEALED THE CRIPPLED WOMAN ON THE SABBATH. 

"Jesus was teaching in a syna­gogue on the sabbath.

 And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.

 When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, 

“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”

 He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.

 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, 

“There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” 

The Lord said to him in reply,

 “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering?

 This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?”

 When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him." (Luke 13: 10 - 17).

" And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled. 

Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” (Luke 13: 12).

Monday 27th October 2025, 30th Week in Ordinary Time.

Jesus observed a crippled woman, bent over and badly deformed in the Synagogue in the course of His teaching.

 Who is this woman? Let us try to figure out who she is:

#1 She was not embarrassed to go to the weekly service in the Synagogue despite her sorry state.

#2  She is a woman of strong faith who believes that God is her Father and loves her deeply in spite of her handicap.

#3 She believes that in His infinite power, God can bring good out of every evil.

#4 She submitted her condition to the will of God. "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done."

Is it surprising that Jesus noticed her? 

 “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”

 Jesus then laid His hands on her and she was healed at once. 

Notice what she did next: "She glorified God."

Signs and wonders point to the arrival of the Kingdom of God. 

At the time Jesus was ministering, we know that many in Israel were awaiting the manifestation of the Kingdom of God.

 Simeon and Anna in the incident of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple were some of the people expecting the coming of the Messiah.

How about us? The Messiah Jesus is with us. He is Emmanuel. He is truly present in the Holy Eucharist.

 He is present in the Blessed Sacrament in a unique and very real manner. 

Thirdly, He is present in you and me in the Sacrament of the Present Moment. 

How is He working in us? 

Every single comfort, every mercy, every breakthrough you experience in life is from Jesus.

 Like the crippled woman in our Scripture today, glorify God and give Him thanks when you experience favor in your life.

 Do not delay in enjoying the benefits of the Emmanuel, the God who is always with you.

October is the Month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. 

Why a special month for the Holy Rosary? 

- "When you 'hail' Mary, she immediately greets you! She is utterly courteous and pleasant. If you greet her, she will answer you right away." — Saint Bernardine of Siena.  

For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:

https://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/09/october-devotion-to-holy-rosary.html?m=1