All Saints, a Baptism, and Three Priests

Chasuble in Sacristy for All Saints Day Mass.

Baptism on All Saints' afternoon.

Dear Friends and Family,

It was a blessed past week! The feast of All Saints and commemoration of the Holy Souls in Purgatory are two particularly blessed days.

I still remember my first Nov 2 (for the Holy Souls in Purgatory) day in the monastery, twenty years ago this month. The day was dedicated to penance and prayer for the souls in purgatory. We attended extra Masses offered by the priests for them, visited a cemetery to pray for them, and thought about the souls suffering so greatly in Purgatory. It might have seemed to make for a sad day but in fact I found myself feeling a particular joy and thinking "what a wonderful day this is!" Because on Nov 2nd how many, many souls must be released from Purgatory--thanks to all the Masses, prayers, and indulgences offered for them on that day--and enter the joy and glory of Heaven? That moment is the greatest moment of joy a soul will ever have experienced--the joy of entering the full joy and splendor of Heaven. And so in a sense Nov. 2nd should be one of the most joyful days of the year. Since that time I have gotten to know better and have come to love more the Holy Souls in Purgatory. If you're not already doing so, please say some extra prayers for them this month.

The previous day, Nov. 1 the Feast of All Saints, has one of my favorite Gospels: the Beatitudes. We can never think enough about them! It does our souls so much good. And that afternoon I had the joy of Baptizing the little man you see in the photo above (Godparents pictured behind him). The traditional liturgy of Baptism, with its exorcisms and powerful prayers, is a wonderful thing to administer. This afternoon I went to the home for a meal to celebrate the Baptism. A wonderful moment to celebrate!

Two priests are making their annual silent retreat here this week: Fr. Armand de Malleray, FSSP and Fr. Rupert of the London Oratory. Both seem to be excellent priests and its nice to have them spending these days in silence here and offering the Holy Sacrifice. Please say a prayer for them as a priest's annual retreat is a key time for him to open his soul to the action of God's grace.

Lastly, in just a minute I need to call one of my civil law professors in the States, who will help me prepare for our midterm exam Nov. 18th. I would also appreciate prayers for that as the preparation is a bit daunting.

Sending you all much love and prayers.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Fr. Tony Pillari