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Commemoration
of All Saints and All Souls
(Saturday,
4th November 2005)
November is seeing hundreds of
Ghajnsilmizi coming into the Sanctuary of our Lady of Loreto
to keep the commemoration of All Saints and All Souls. They
may not be days of obligation but, besides being liturgically
significant they have particular resonance in Maltese culture.
Although they are school holidays, for most of the population
they are working days.
The solemnity
of All Saints, celebrated on the 1st of November, honours all
the saints of the church, those whose names we know as well as
those not known to us by name.
The
commemoration of all the faithful departed was celebrated on 2
November. In Maltese it is commonly known as Jum il-Mejtin or
l-Għid ta’ l-Imwiet. It is a day of remembrance, celebration
and prayer for those who have preceded us in purgatory and are
currently being purified in preparation for entry into the
heavenly Jerusalem. Catholics flock to Mass and make prayerful
visits to Christian tombs and many priests respectively
celebrate three requiem Masses, one for the all the souls in
purgatory, one for the intention of the Holy Father, and one
for the priest’s own intention.
During this
month, many Ghajnsilmizi walk to the Cemetery every day and
carry with them flowers and photos of their loved ones.
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