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    This special extended weekend is devoted to the Communion of Saints. While we observe Ordinary Time on Friday and Saturday representing the Church Militant during the end of World Mission Week, we celebrate the Church Triumphant Sunday or Monday (depending on your diocese) with the Solemnity of ALL SAINTS DAY and commemorate the Church Suffering remembering the souls in Purgatory on All Souls Day Tuesday. For the liturgies, readings, meditations and vignettes on these feasts, click on LITURGY

Friday October 29: Thirtieth Friday in Ordinary Time

Green vestments

First Reading: Romans 9: 1-5
Psalms: Psalm 147: 12-15, 19-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 1-6

Saturday October 30: Thirtieth Saturday in Ordinary Time
Observance of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday

Green or white vestments

First Reading: Romans 11: 1-2, 11-12, 25-29
Psalms: Psalm 94: 12-15, 17-18
Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 1, 7-11

    Honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary is a custom first promoted by the Benedictine Monk Saint Alcuin back in the days of Charlemagne (see archives December 23, no. 25 issue). He composed different formulas for Votive Masses for each day of the week, with two set aside to honor Our Lady on Saturday. This practice caught on with great enthusiasm and eventually the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday became the Common of the Blessed Virgin. This Mass was a favorite with retired priests and those whose sight was failing for most had memorized this Mass and were able to say it by heart without having to read the Lectionary or Sacramentary. One reason Saturday was dedicated to Mary was that Saturday held a special meaning in Mariology. First of all, as Genesis accounts for, God rested on the seventh day. In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was Saturday. Jesus, Son of God rested in the womb and then, when He became incarnate, in the loving arms of Mary from birth until she held His lifeless body at the foot of the Cross. Thus the God-head rested in Mary. It was also on Saturday after Good Friday that Jesus gave His Mother a special gift and reward for keeping her faith in His Divinity intact by making an exceptional appearance to her. Thus, because of these reasons, the devotion spread by St. Alcuin and other liturgies that evolved within the Church, Saturday took on a special Marian significance. Saturday took on even more significance in honoring Mary when Our Lady imparted to visionary Lucia in her third apparition at Fatima on July 13, 1917, "Our Lord wishes that devotion to my Immaculate Heart be established in the world. If what I tell you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace; the war will end...I ask the consecration of the world to my Immaculate Heart and Communion of reparation on the First Saturday of each month...If my requests are granted, Russia will be converted and there will be peace...In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph, and an era of peace will be conceded to humanity." As we draw nearer to that wonderful event, it is more important than ever to honor Mary's request on the First Saturday as well as each Saturday that her feast is commemorated in the Church calendar, not to mention responding to her call daily with the Rosary and attending Daily Mass, nourished by her Divine Son present body and blood, soul and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament. It is in the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary where she remains in the background in the liturgy of the Word so that her Divine Son's words and His Presence take the spotlight as He should while Mary remains the chief intercessor before the Holy Trinity as she should and serves as the ideal for all Catholics to strive for, as we should. The Dictionary of Mary states quite succinctly, "Through these liturgical acts, (honoring Mary on Saturday) Christians exalt the person of Mary in the action that renews the sacrifice of Christ and in the action that prolongs His prayer."

SUNDAY October 31: THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Green vestments

First Reading: Malachi 1: 14; 2: 2, 8-10
Psalms: Psalm 131: 1-3
Second Reading:1 Thessalonians 2: 7-9, 13
Gospel Reading: Matthew 23: 1-12

MONDAY November 1: SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

White vestments

First Reading: Revelation/Apocalypse 7: 2-4, 9-14
Psalms: Psalm 24: 1-6
Second Reading:1 John 3: 1-3
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12

    Many believe this feast originated in Ireland with the Martyrology of Tallaght with April 17 set aside to commemorate all the martyrs and April 20 was earmarked to celebrate all the saints of Europe. However, at the end of the 8th Century and beginning of the 9th Century, St. Bede's Martyrology in England notated the feast of All Saints on November 1. Saint Alcuin around the year 800 celebrated All Saints on this date. Rome first began celebrating this feast with a vigil as well as a fast. Thus, evolved the term "All Hallow's Eve" which eventually translated into Halloween. Unfortunately Halloween today is not what it was meant to be, but rather a day given over to evil spirits. We need to return to the true meaning of what "All Hallows" means - gaining inspiration from the heroic example of the saints who intercede for us. Originally the Holy See celebrated All Saints Day on May 13, the same date as it was commemorated in the East as decreed by Pope Boniface IV around 615. This feast was commemorated during the Easter season, in order to bring home the paschal triumph of the martyrs and the golden-voiced Saint John Chrysostom, from his writings, indicated this feast was held on the First Sunday following Pentecost. In 731 Pope Gregory III consecrated a chapel to all the saints in St. Peter's Basilica and established the date found in St. Bede's Martyrology. It is considered a Holy Day of Obligation in many countries, especially here in the United States. Celebrating this feast is part of the Triduum of the Communion of Saints for on this day we celebrate the Church Triumphant - all those in Heaven who we pray to for intercession and who, in turn can pray for the Church Militant on earth. It is left to the Church Militant to pray for the Church Suffering - those souls in Purgatory whose feast is commemorated the following day.

Tuesday November 2:
COMMEMORATION OF ALL SOULS

White, Violet or Black vestments

First Reading: Wisdom 3: 1-9
Psalms: Psalm 103: 8, 10, 13-18
Second Reading: Romans 14: 7-12
Gospel Reading: John 6: 37-40

     The Feast of All Souls is a continuum of the Triduum of the Communion of Saints with this day set aside to remember the Church Suffering, the poor souls in Purgatory who desperately need the Prayers of the Church Militant here on earth for the Church Suffering in Purgatory - the Poor Souls. Through our prayers the souls in Purgatory can be released into Heaven and, having joined the Church Triumphant, can then intercede before the Throne of God for those on earth, especially remembering those who remembered to pray for them. This feast originated in the 7th Century in the Benedictine abbeys of Europe. Saint Odilo around the end of the first millennium, instituted All Souls Day be celebrated immediately after All Saints day and by the 14th Century Rome had established November 2 as the official feast for the universal Church. A century later the Dominicans began the custom of saying three Masses on that day to accommodate all the requests but this privilege was not extended to the entire Church until August 10, 1915 when Pope Benedict XV gave permission to all priests to celebrate three Masses on this day - one for the faithful departed, one for the intentions of the Holy Father and the third for the priest's own personal intentions. The main reason for his actions were to accommodate and pray for all those who had died during World War I. Today if All Souls Day falls on a Sunday, then the day is transferable to November 3rd. Also, the difference today in the Novus Ordo Mass vs. the Latin Tridentine Mass is that the Mass of the Dead is not commemorated with black vestments in the former, rather white vestments and purple vestments are used celebrating "our resurrection through the Victory of Christ."

Wednesday November 3:
Thirty-first Wednesday in Ordinary Time and
Feast of Saint Martin de Tours, Religious

Green or white vestments

First Reading: Romans 13: 8-10
Psalms: Psalm 112: 1-2, 4-5, 9
Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 25-33

      Born on November 9, 1579 in Lima, Peru Saint Martin de Porres was brought into this world illegitimately by a black unmarried Panamanian slave woman Anna who had been impregnated by Spanish landowner John de Porres. Martin would not let his illegitimate birth deter him from following God's Will, which was to become a Dominican lay brother at the Rosary Convent in Lima in 1603. There, where he had first entered in 1594 at the age of 15, he became a contemporary and close friend of Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Turibius, Saint John Macias, and Saint Francis Solano. His mother had made sure Martin had a firm rooting in Catholicism and had hoped he would become a pharmacist or a surgeon, but his concern and love for the poor beckoned him to forego that career in favor of caring for hundreds of thousands of sick and black slaves who were brought to Lima in chains. His reputation as a holy man, healer and mystic, as well as his tremendous efforts in helping the downtrodden made him legend in Lima and throughout South America. He was gifted with the supernatural gifts of bilocation and aerial flights and had knock-down fights literally with the devil, but he would never give in. He gained his strength from spending all his free time before the Blessed Sacrament just as another holy person did during this century as the "Saint of the Gutters" - Mother Teresa. At the age of 60, Martin contracted the fatal fever and died at the Dominican's Rosary Convent on November 3, 1639. His death was mourned throughout the land as the patron of social justice. His deeds were officially recognized in 1962, when Pope John Paul XXIII declared Blessed Martin the charitable a saint, proclaiming him patron saint of interracial justice.

     The following verse, taken from 2 Machabees 12: 46 affirms what Our Lady said that if we pray the prayer "we'll deliver many souls": "It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." The Blessed Mother asks that we pray the words "I BELIEVE IN GOD" five times, and then say a Hail Holy Queen, Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be once followed by the prayer: Grant eternal rest unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them that they may rest in peace. Amen.

FATIMA PRAYER FOR SOULS

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell.
Lead all souls to Heaven, Especially those most need of Thy Mercy.

     There is also the special prayer that in honor of the poor souls in Purgatory. When one prays this prayer from the heart countless souls are released from Purgatory at God's will. It is an excellent way as members of the Church Militant to fulfill our role in the Communion of Saints:

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son Jesus in union with all the Masses said throughout the world today; for the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, in my home and in my family. Amen.

It is recommended we pray this after every decade of the Rosary. Our Lady also imparted to Hungarian visionary Mrs. Elizabeth Szanto Erzebet, (mother of six who died in 1985), the following message on October 13, 1962 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the last apparition at Fatima. Proclaiming herself as "The Flame of Love", Our Lady said: "My Daughter, your compassion for suffering souls moved my Motherly heart so much that I will grant the grace that if anyone anywhere will say Three Hail Mary's in reference to my Flame of Love, then on each occasion a soul will be freed from Purgatory. Furthermore, "In the month of the Holy Souls (November) TEN SOULS WILL BE FREED FROM PURGATORY FOR EACH HAIL MARY...Suffering souls will also feel the effect of the grace coming from my Motherly Flame of Love."

This is our opportunity to storm Heaven with our Rosaries during this month. Think of the number of souls you will all be able to deliver from Purgatory into the Glory of Heaven through your Hail Mary's. They won't forget you!!!

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Events this weekend in Church History

    Monday is the 496th anniversary of the election of Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere as the 216th successor of Peter. He became Pope Julius II and is noted for commissioning Raphael and Michelangelo and for finishing the construction of the Basilica of St. Peter's. During his ten-year pontificate he also convened the 18th Ecumenical Council. For other events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history during this extended weekend, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for October 29:

1292 A.D.


Death of Saint Benvenuta of Cividale, virgin and religious who died at the age of thirty-eight. There is a legend that says shortly after her mother died, Benvenuta, just a young girl was praying before the Blessed Sacrament when Jesus appeared to her as a young boy to console her and assure she would always have a loving mother in His Blessed Mother as long as she prayed the Hail Mary. When she agreed and began praying the prayer at the moment she said "thy womb Jesus" He identified Himself as the Son of God and disappeared. She was loyal from that day forward.

Historical Events in Church Annals for October 30:

701 A.D.


Pope John VI begins his reign as the 85th successor of Peter. Born in Ephesus, he ruled for four years during an extremely difficult period for Christianity which was being rejected in the East and in Spain by the Saracens. He ransomed many slaves and defended the prerogatives of the Church against the Emperor.

942 A.D.


Pope Marinus II is chosen 128th successor of Peter and would rule for four years. This Roman-born pontiff set an example of a pure and blameless life during a very turbulent period, restoring Rome as the moral capitol of the world.

1270 A.D.


The 8th and final crusade is launched during the papal vacancy between Pope Clement IV and Blessed Pope Gregory X.

1394 A.D.


Death of Saint Dorothea of Montau, mystic and hermit who died at the age of fourty-seven.

1983 A.D.


Pope John Paul II beatifies Blessed Giacomo Cusmano, Blessed Jeremiah of Valachia and Blessed Domingo Iturrate Zubero.

Historical Events in Church Annals for October 31:

994 A.D.


Death of Saint Wolfgang, Bishop of Ratisbon who died in upper Austria on this date. He was instrumental in the conversion of the Magyars and spent much of is life in pious solitude to gain strength to minister to the faithful. Whenever he sought out the life of the hermitage, the people stormed him, beseeching him to return as their bishop.

655 A.D.


Death of Saint Foillan, Irish monk who ministered to the Brits and founded numerous monasteries. He was martyred for his faith by a band of pagan outlaws in the forest of Seneffe in England after celebrating Holy Mass.

1541 A.D.


Italian master Michelangelo Buonarroti completes his masterful painting of the "Last Judgment."

1705 A.D.


Birth of Cardinal Giovanni Ganganelli in Rimini, Italy. He would go on to become the 249th successor of Peter as Pope Clement XIV who was poisoned after a reign of five years.

1992 A.D.


Pope John Paul II reinstates Galileo Galilei, forgiving him for his views which were condemned by Pope Urban VIII in 1633.

Historical Events in Church Annals for November 1:

Solemnity of All Saints

1503 A.D.


Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere is elected the 216th successor of Peter, taking the name Pope Julius II. His pontificate would last ten years. It was he who commissioned Italian masters Michelangelo and Raphael to contribute to the art of the Vatican and St. Peter's which was completed during his reign. He would also convene the 18th Ecumenical Council in hopes of stemming revolt from many who questioned the Church. As we know it did not work and the schism became a reality during the papacy of his successor Pope Leo X.

1512 A.D.


The first painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo is opened to the public by Pope Julius II.

1776 A.D.


Blessed Padre Junipero Serra founds Mission San Juan Capistrano on the shores of the mighty Pacific ocean in Southern California.

1885 A.D.


Pope Leo XIII issues his 16th encyclical Immortale Dei on the Christian constitution of states.

1914 A.D.


Pope Benedict XV publishes his first encyclical Ad beatissimi Apostolorum which was an appeal for peace in the face of World War I.

1939 A.D.


Pope Pius XII issues his second encyclical Sertum laetitiae directed to the United States bishops on the 150th anniversary of the hierarchy in the USA in 1789

1956 A.D.


Pope Pius XII releases his 34th encyclical Laetamur admodum beseeching peace in Poland, Hungary and the mideast through prayer.

Historical Events in Church Annals for November 2:

(Commemoration of All Souls)

676 A.D.


Pope Donus begins his reign as 78th successor of Peter. Born in Rome, he was first elected on September 2nd but at first refused. When the conclave beseeched him he relented and agreed. During his pontificate which would last two years, he would succeed in bringing to an end the schism of the Church in Ravenna. He would also encourage the bishops to support the new schools in Germanic Gaul and that of Cambridge in England.

The Archbishop of Maputo Cardinal Alexandre Jose Maria dos Santos is Mozambique's first native priest and cardinal

    We continue with this special series introducing you to the Princes of the Church. Our one-hundred-fourteenth red-hat we feature, in alphabetical order, is 75 year-old Cardinal Alexandre Jose Maria dos Santos of Mozambique, the Archbishop of Maputo, Mozambique's capital. He was elevated to the cardinalate during the Consistory of June 28, 1988 when he became the first native Mozambique member of the Sacred Conclave. For more on Cardinal Alexandre Jose Maria dos Santos, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

117.   Cardinal Alexandre Jose Maria dos Santos, OFM

    Cardinal Alexandre Jose Maria dos Santos, no relation to the Fatima visionary Lucia dos Santos, has the distinction of being the first native priest and cardinal from Mozambique in Africa. Mozambique is a subtropical republic on the southeastern coast of Africa on the Indian Ocean where the Tropic of Capricorn intersects this land of central highlands and mountains that hug the coastline of the Mozambique Channel. He was born on March 18, 1924 in Zavala, Mozambique and taught by the Franciscan missionaries from Portugal in his village where he felt a calling to the priesthood. After studying at the Franciscan high school in his country, he traveled to Portugal where he took philosophy courses from the White Fathers in Lisbon. When he was 23 he requested and was accepted to the Franciscan Novitiate in Portugal in the Province of Varatojo. In 1951 he pronounced his final vows and was ordained a priest on June 25, 1953, becoming Mozambique's first black priest.

    After twenty-one years of various pastoral assignments in his homeland, Pope Paul V named him the new Archbishop of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique on the occasion of his country declaring independence from Portugal on December 23, 1974. As head of the See of Mozambique's capital in the southern-most tip of the nation on the coast, Archbishop dos Santos founded Caritas of Mozambique, serving as its first president. In addition he founded the Women's Union of Piety in Maputo on August 22, 1981.

    At the age of 64 he was honored with admission into the Sacred Conclave when Pope John Paul II named him Mozambique's first cardinal in his Consistoryu of June 28, 1988 bestowing on him the titular church of St. Frumentius ai Prati Fiscali. Besides his duties as head of his flock in Maputo, he also serves membership on the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Pontifical Council for Culture.

    Mozambique boasts over three million Catholics out of a total population of nearly 18 million, mostly Muslim. The Faith was first brought to Mozambique by Portuguese Jesuits in the mid sixteenth century. In the 18th century when Portugal's government expelled the Jesuits the Faith began to wane and from 1910 to 1925 went through a stiff period of anti-clericalism in southeastern Africa. In 1940 Portugal and the Vatican signed a concordat allowing the hierarchy of Maputo to be established but Portuguese politics interfered in the fifties and moreso in the sixties prompting a strain in Church-state relations for the missionaries were critical of the Portugal for their treatment of the Mozambique people. This helped open the door for Mozambique's independence in late 1974. Cardinal dos Santos today resides at Paco Arquiepiscoal, Avenida Eduardo Mondlane 1448, C.P. 258, in Maputo, Mozambique.

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October 29-November 2, 1999 volume 10, no. 207  DAILY CATHOLIC