All Saints Day is Coming Up

We have compiled an article on the history of All Saints Day for your reading pleasure. You may also want to read up on how a saint is made and peruse our selection of saint medals or our Patron Saint Index.

We have also posted an article on the history of All Souls Day.

Oh When the Saints, Go Marching in…

The Solemnity of All Saints is November 1st.

The Feast of All Souls is November 2nd.

“The Communion of the Church of Heaven and Earth –

The three states of the Church. ‘When the Lord comes in glory, and all his angels with him, death will be no more and all things will be subject to him. But at the present time some of his disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as he is.’

All of us, however, in varying degrees and in different ways share in the same charity towards God and our neighbors, and we all sing the one hymn of glory to our God. All, indeed, who are of Christ and who have his Spirit form one Church and in Christ cleave together so it is that the union of the wayfarers with the brethren who sleep in the peace of Christ is in no way interrupted, but on the contrary, according to the constant faith of the Church, this union is reinforced by an exchange of spiritual goods.”

– from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 954, 955

 

 

 

 

Any Friend of God’s Is a Friend of Mine: A biblical and historical explanation of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints   Author: Patrick Madrid

Butler’s Lives of the Saints: New Concise Edition   Author: Paul Burns, Editor

A New Dictionary Of Saints, Of the Eastern and Western Church   Author: Michael Walsh	A New Dictionary Of Saints,Of the Eastern and Western Church   Author: Michael Walsh
Saint Worship And The Worship Of Mary: Why Devotion To The Saints Makes Sense   Author: Orestes A. Brownson	Wisdom of the Saints CD   Author: Fr. Shannon Michael Collins, C.P.M.

Books on the Saints for younger readers

Saints For Young Readers Vol. I, For Every Day   Author: Sr. Susan Helen Wallace, Editor	Saints For Young Readers Vol. II, For Every Day   Author: Sr. Susan Helen Wallace, Editor
Saintly Tales And Legends   Author: Lois Rock	Loyola Kids Book Of Saints   Author: Amy Welborn

 

 

“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Sacred Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in any age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offences can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: ‘Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin. From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.”

– from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030, 1032

Fire Of Love! Understanding Purgatory   Author: St. Catherine of Genoa	The Prisoners Of The King   Author: Fr. H. J. Coleridge, S.J.
Pocket Guide To Purgatory   Author: Patrick Mad	Purgatory; And The Means To Avoid It   Author: Fr. Martin Jugie
Stories About Purgatory: 30 Days for the Holy Souls	Praying in the Presence of Our Lord for the Holy Souls   Author: Susan Tassone

To browse our selection of books on the “Four Last Things” please click here.

“According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, the work of each will come to light, for the Day (of Judgment) will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire (itself) will test the quality of each one’s work. If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire. “

– St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 3:15

October is the month of the Holy Rosary! We carry one of the largest selections of rosaries anywhere. Are you looking for a truly special and unique gift or devotional item? From simplest wood or stone beads, to precious metals and beautiful
gemstones, you will find the perfect rosary when you browse our extensive collection here.

The New Rosary in Scripture: Biblical Insights for Praying the 20 Mysteries   Author: Edward Sri

The Rosary: Contemplating the Face of Christ   Author: Pope John Paul II

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::