The Feast of All Saints

Today is the feast of All Saints where we remember all of those holy ones, both known and unknown, who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.  We will celebrate it at St. Augustine’s this Sunday.  All Saints Day dates back to the late fourth century, and was celebrated in Antioch.  St. Ephrem the Syrian mentioned it in a sermon in 373. In the early centuries, this feast was celebrated in the Easter season.

 
One of the appointed Psalms for today is Psalm 150 where we read:

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;
   praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
   praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
   praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
   praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
   praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

On this day we remember the reality of the Church united, all of those who lived before the coming of Christ, and all of those who lived after the coming of Christ, all of those now living and all of the saints were are in the immediate presence of God Almighty, praise the Lord!

Let us pray:  O Almighty God, who have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those indescribable joys which you have prepared for those who truly love you: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550