On 2 November, the Catholic Church celebrates with deep devotion the Commemoratio Omnium Fidelium Defunctorum, better known as the Commemoration of the Dead.
This tradition, rooted in the history of the Church, dates back to the 9th century, when the Benedictine abbot Saint Odilon of Cluny established this date to remember all the faithful departed. The Church, with motherly love, prays for the dead, as for the living, because they too are alive in the Lord. Christian hope finds its foundation in the Bible, in the invincible goodness and mercy of God. “I know that my redeemer is alive, and that, last of all, he will stand upon the dust!” exclaims Job, emphasising that our hope goes beyond death.
This solemnity, one of the most important for the Church, has ancient roots in the truth of faith of the Apostles’ Creed that we recite during Holy Mass. The Creed reminds us of the communion of saints, the idea that Christians are not individual entities, but an integral part of the mystical body of the risen Jesus Christ. In it we profess:
“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the remission of sins, the resurrection of the flesh, and eternal life. Amen.”
This faith assures us that death is not the end, but a passage, a waiting of love and faith that will culminate in the ultimate encounter with those we love.
St Vincent de Paul, with his unconditional love for the poor, reminds us of the importance of carrying the names of the poor in our hearts, especially those who die in pain and loneliness. These are the dead who are often forgotten, because no one carries them in their hearts. In a world scarred by the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing wars and the persecution of many because of their faith, the message of St. Vincent resonates with even greater urgency. Every life is priceless, and every death is a loss for all humanity.
In this context, the commemoration of the dead becomes a time for deep reflection on the fragility of life and our responsibility to love and serve others, especially the most vulnerable. As Vincentian missionaries, we are called to be spokespersons for the voiceless, to remember those who have been forgotten and to bring hope in the midst of despair.
As we join in prayer for our deceased loved ones and all those who have died due to the tragedies of our time, we invite the brethren to share this special prayer
Certainly, here is a prayer that fits the context of the article:
Vincentian Prayer for the Dead
Lord of Mercy and Love,
Welcome into Your loving arms those who have left us.
In particular, we think of the poor and the lonely,
those who have died in pain, forgotten by the world.
We also remember those who lost their lives because of COVID-19,
wars
and persecution for their faith.
Inspired by St Vincent de Paul,
we ask You to bring comfort to their souls
and illuminate their path to Thy eternal light.
May they find peace and serenity in Thy divine embrace and may we,
still in this world,
we can be inspired by their memory to serve with love and dedication.
Amen.
