BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., HAS SHARED THIS MESSAGE for the Feast of All Saints and the Commemoration of All Souls:
"On this solemn Feast of All Saints, the Church invites us to reflect on the great hope that is based on Christ’s Resurrection: Christ is risen, and we will also be with him. The Saints and Blesseds are the most authoritative witnesses of Christian hope because they lived it fully in their lives, amidst joys and sufferings, putting into practice the Beatitudes … that Jesus preached are the path to holiness" (Pope Francis, Angelus Message, Nov. 1, 2020).
All Souls’ Day “is a day of memory that takes us back to our roots. It is also a day of hope. It reminds us of what we can expect: the hope of encountering the love of the Father" (Pope Francis, Homily, Nov. 2, 2020).
Beginning with the Feast of All Saints (November 1) and the Commemoration of All Souls (November 2), the entire month of November has long been dedicated to the faithful departed, “those who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace" (Eucharistic Prayer 1). The “sign of faith” is that “indelible mark” that the Catholic Church teaches comes with Baptism. St. Teresa of Calcutta once reflected “during this whole month we give them extra love and care by praying to them and for them.”
Read the full message HERE. IT IS NOT EVERY DAY THAT ONE GETS TO MEET THE MOTHER OF A YOUNG MAN ON A PATH TO SAINTHOOD. But that is what happened this past month when Antonia (Acutis) Salzano visited St. Dominic Church in Brick to witness the establishment of a new diocesan shrine dedicated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., to Blessed Carlo Acutis and his devotion to the Eucharist. November’s issue of The Monitor Magazine captures the joy and reverence of this extraordinary and historic moment in the life of the Diocese.
The latest issue covers many other truly joyful events and experiences, perhaps most notably the two Anniversary Blessing Masses celebrated by Bishop O’Connell and honoring some 300 couples from across the Diocese. We have again devoted an entire section to photo and news coverage of these two annual celebrations, as well as the list of couples who were honored.
Learn more about the latest issue HERE. Not yet a subscriber? >Subscribe now by clicking writing to [email protected]. or by clicking HERE.
THE CHANCERY IN LAWRENCEVILLE WILL BE CLOSED on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, for the Solemnity of All Saints. Regular business hours will resume Thursday, November 2.