John Paul II, Mother Teresa among Cardinal Gracias’ favourite saints

November 2, 2012 – Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa of Kolkata are among the favourite non-canonized saints that Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias often prays to. The prelate, who is Archbishop of Bombay said this during a visit to Vatican Radio on Thursday, Nov. 1^st All Saints Day. “All Saints Day is a big feast, and for me it’s a day when we pray to all the saints, those non-canonized also in particular, and I know so many people who are certainly with our Lord and are praying for us.” When asked who some of his favourite non-canonized saints he, he spoke about Blessed John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa, as, he said, he knew both of them very well personally. St. Anthony is also a favourite saint to whom he often prays. “And of course, Our Lady is there. Everybody prays to Our Lady because she is our favourite intercessor before God,” Cardinal Gracias added.
The Catholic Church observes All Saints Day to celebrate all the saints known and unknown, and observance that goes back to at least the 4th century. The current date of November 1st was instituted by Pope Gregory III in the 8th century when he consecrated a chapel to all the martyrs in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and ordered an annual celebration. The following day, Nov. 2nd is All Souls Day, dedicated all the departed. The theological basis for the feast is the doctrine that not all people at the moment of death are perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have fully atoned for past transgressions, and hence are barred from the Beatific Vision, and that the faithful on earth can help them with prayers, sacrifices, good deeds but especially by offering the sacrifice of the Mass.