A Letter from Bishop Checchio for All Souls Day 2024
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November 1, 2024My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,Yesterday, as we celebrated All Saints Day, we honored the countless saints in heaven who have set the example for us all and continuously intercede for us and our needs. In our calling on this side of eternal life, we, too, strive to follow in their footsteps, leading lives of virtue and righteousness, ultimately joining them in the loving embrace of our Lord. While we know not all saints are officially recognized by the Church, among them are our countless family members and dear friends who have undoubtedly found their place in heaven.On this solemn feast of All Souls Day, we as a Church come together to pray and remember our departed loved ones who have gone before us. Indeed, it is a day when we unite in prayer, interceding that all the deceased and our loved ones may now enjoy eternal peace with our Heavenly Father.Today, as we gather in prayer, our intentions are extended to all the departed souls we hold so dear. We come before the Lord to ask Him to grant them the everlasting joys of heaven. For my own family and among the faithful in our diocese, I often offer my prayers for those who have departed, fervently hoping that they may experience the eternal peace of heaven in the presence of our Lord.All Souls Day is a day of remembrance, marked by both the sorrow of missing our beloved and the hope of reuniting with them in heaven one day. Our faith in Christ reassures us that this reunion is not a mere wish, but a promise we look forward to with steadfast conviction.Indeed, today your loved ones have been remembered at the altar. Together, let us unite our hearts in prayer, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, that our departed loved ones and all souls may find eternal peace in the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father.You can also submit prayer intentions online by going to www.diometuchen.org/PrayerIntentions to be included in the prayers of our Religious Sisters.Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.With renewed best wishes, I remainYours in Christ,
Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Bishop of Metuchen
