THE Catholic Church urged its faithful to reflect during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Bishop Patricio Buzon of the Diocese of Bacolod said “(A)s we approach the end of the year, the Church takes the opportunity to remind us also of our own end. We are merely pilgrims in this world and our real home is with the Father in heaven.”
He added that “this is the original celebration of the Halloween – our call to holiness, our call to be saints.”
The bishop also urged the faithful to “take time to remember our loved ones who have gone ahead of us and pray that they too will arrive at the Father's house.”
All Saints’ Day honors the saints of the Catholic Church. It is commemorated annually on November 1 while All Souls’ Day, which is commemorated every November 2, is a day of remembering the departed loved ones and friends.
In the Philippines, families visit cemeteries and offer prayers, flowers and candles.
Negros Occidental Acting Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson urged his fellow Negrosanons “not to forget our loved ones who have gone ahead of us.”
“May their physical absence be the source of our inspiration to do good and connect ourselves with friends, relatives, and other people while we are still alive,” he added.
He also asked to continue to be prayerful and have full of hope despite the many challenges.
“With God’s guidance and intervention, along with our resolve to stand up strong in every trial, we can make things a blessing to our family and fellow Negrosanons,” he said.
He also asked the public to take care of themselves: “As you go back to your home or travel to places, please make sure that every member of your family is safe and your homes are secured before leaving.”
The national government has declared October 31 and November 1 as special non-working holidays for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.