By The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Ph.D., S.T.D.
Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Belleville

We commemorate All Hallow’s Eve, All Hallows’ Day and All Souls’ Day, aware of the thousands of people who have perished in the horrific wars in Ukraine and Israel. At the same time, the fact that many Americans continue to die from COVID-19, the alarming increase in mass shooting deaths including the recent horrific mass murders in Lewiston, Maine, and the deaths that occur regularly in our parishes and in our families may cause more people than usual to think about death and the relationship between the mystery of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church’s affirmation of eternal life. It is unfortunate that some Catholic families may spend more energy preparing ghoulish Halloween costumes for their children than teaching them how to become saints on All Saints’ Day and guiding them in prayer for their dear ones who have died on All Souls’ Day. Read more…