The month of November, as the final month of the Liturgical Year, is dedicated to the Holy Souls. Throughout this month those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith will be remembered at all Masses. The following is an ancient prayer to St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of departing souls.
O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through your foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer you my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen.
Today at the 11:30 Mass we will commemorate our beloved deceased of the past year. The blue votive candles at the foot of the altar represent the light that they each shared with us and the light, that as the Book of Wisdom reminds us, continues to illuminate God’s Kingdom.
“The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if to others, indeed, they seem punished yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their judgment, they shall shine and dart about as sparks through stubble. They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.” (Wisdom 3:1-9)
Congratulations to Mission Youth Philly for being awarded the prestigious Angel Award at a reception sponsored by The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia. Mission Youth Philly received a $50,000 grant that will be used to further its mission of strengthening the Catholic faith among young people through its Core Four programming. This initiative fosters missionary discipleship, engaging youth through Bible studies, retreats, missions, and summer camps – all designed to deepen their connection with Christ. A thank you to our parishioners who through your generosity and prayerful support assist the missionaries in their vocation to bring Christ’s love to those most in need. Congratulations and we are richly blessed by your presence here at Our Lady of Peace.
Eastern Standard Time has returned as of this weekend. Time changes in the spring and the fall can have physical, physiological, and emotional impacts. Recommendations included maintaining healthy sleep patterns, adjusting for a gradual later bedtime in the fall, and an earlier one in the spring, and trying to experience as much natural light as possible. The Winter Solstice, when the days start to get longer, occurs on 21 December. Daylight Saving Time returns on Sunday, 9 March.