All Souls Day

 The day of the commemoration of all the faithful departed, remembering all the souls in Purgatory, is this year transferred from the 2nd to the 3rd November because the 2nd November was a Sunday.  On this day there are three Masses celebrated for the poor souls and they are traditionally celebrated one after the other, going from the last gospel immediately to the prayers at the foot of the altar of the next Mass.  It is a lovely tradition and helps to mark the day as special, in the same way that the late night Easter Vigil, or Christmas Midnight Mass highlight the fact that their respective feasts are of some increased importance.

 

The first of the three Masses on Papa Stronsay is a low Mass.

 

 The confrères all receive communion at this Mass.  It is a wonderful thing to offer your reception of Holy Communion for the relief of the souls in Purgatory, thus providing them with the helps which they can no longer obtain for themselves.

 The second Mass is a sung Mass.  The mournful chant which Holy Mother the Church has assigned to this Mass help to raise our minds to the plight of the souls in Purgatory and move us to have compassion on them.

The third Mass is again, a low Mass.

Do not allow this day to pass without thinking of and praying for the holy souls in Purgatory.

Remember that if you die with one mortal sin on your soul, you will go to hell.  This means that the all the souls in Purgatory died in the state of grace, they practised their faith and frequented the sacraments.  They are what we might term good people.  They will not therefore be forgetful of the assistance which you render them today and during the rest of your pilgrimage on earth and will repay you with their own prayers before the throne of God.