Pope Benedict: Holiness vocation of all the baptized
During his Angelus on Tuesday, Pope Benedict said “the Feast of All Saints is a good
time to lift our gaze from the realities of the world… to the enormity of God, who
encompasses all eternity and holiness. “
He said holiness is the vocation
of all the baptized, and all the people of God are called to be saints.
The
Pope then turned his thoughts to Wednesday’s commemoration of All Souls.
“From
the early days of the Christian faith,” he said, “the Church on earth, recognizing
the communion of the whole mystical body of Jesus Christ, has with great respect honored
the memory of the dead and offered prayers for them.”
The Pope said “our prayers
for the dead are not only useful, but necessary.”
The Holy Father reminded
the faithful to keep the bonds of affection with our loved ones who have died, not
only through prayer, but also through actions like visiting cemeteries.
He
said this reminds us all that we are meant for another life after death.