A Day of the Saints
     November 1 is a day set aside by the church for remembering dedicated Christians of the past. It is often called All Saints Day or All Soul Day. This day has been set aside ‘since the middle ages for remembrance of the beloved’s who no longer laugh or cry on Earth. but All Souls Day is a beautiful day for contemplating how we care for our own souls…”
     It is a day when we recall those who have died in the faith throughout history.  Obviously there would be no Christianity without faithful disciples of Christ who have held fast to their faith in good times and in bad. There have been countless martyrs who have died witnessing to the love of God and the saving grace of Christ. And sad to say, in some parts of the world, Christians are still persecuted and even slain for their beliefs.
     All Saints’ Day is November 1 each year. The word saint comes fro the Latin word sanctus and refers to the holy – that is, “set apart for the service of God”. In some of St. Paul’s letters to the churches he founded, he called all the members “saints”. Later, Christians who distinguished themselves by their zeal for Christ, especially the martyrs, were honored after their death by being canonized as saints.  The word “saint” was placed before their Christian name. The pages of Christian history books are filled with stories of these very special servants of God.
     Several became the patron saints of countries. Ireland’s saint is St. Patrick, England’s is St. George and Scotland’s is St. Andrew.
While the United States has no particular saint, Christians here should appreciate all the faithful people who served Christ courageously and delivered the faith to us to follow.
     Take time to think of our Christian heritage, and remember with thanksgiving those who have held fast to their faith no matter what.