ALL SAINTS

Today is the Feast of All Saints. Remembering saints and martyrs and dedicating a specific day to them each year has been a Christian tradition since the Fourth century, but it was only in 609 A.D. that Pope Boniface IV decided to remember all martyrs. Originally 13th May was the date chosen but in 837 A.D. Pope Gregory IV extended the festival to remember All Saints and changed the date to 1st November.

ALL SOULS

From the earliest times Christians have prayed for those who have died. When St Monica was dying, she told St Augustine not to worry about where she was buried but to remember her at the altar of God. Although our ultimate destiny is decided at the moment of death, the prayers of others can help the process whereby the fire of God’s love purifies us and makes us ready to enter his presence. Today’s Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed was established by Odilo, the Abbot of Cluny, in 998 A.D. and rapidly spread throughout the Church. It is customary for priests to celebrate three Masses on this day. Monday Masses will be at the usual Holy Day times: Kelvedon 10.00 a.m.; Coggeshall 6.00 p.m.; Tiptree 7.30 p.m.