Oct 31., 2026 / CATECHESIS

We Are Not Alone: Walking with the Saints

Solemnity of All Saints / Mt 5:1-12
November 1, 2026

By Fr. Agustin Opalalic

ON this first day of the month of November the whole Catholic world celebrates “All Saints Day.” For several Sundays we have considered the essential aspects of the heavenly reign of God and the proper conduct necessary in order to be able to respond freely to the invitation of God the Father to be in communion with Him in a loving union with the Son and the Holy Spirit. We mentioned both the essence of the reign of God and the institution that sacramentally manifests His presence in the world, the Catholic Church, and the relationship of this institution with other institution existing whose goals are the total welfare of man, particular the State. This Sunday let us reflect on the meaning of one reality confessed by our Catholic faith that is expressed in the creed. This is the “communion of saints.”

What does “communion of saints” mean? When we speak of this reality we think not only of the canonized saints whom we give due honor and veneration in the Catholic Church, but this reality includes all the faithful who belong to Christ. This signifies the spiritual union of the faithful with Christ and, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is composed of “the Church on Earth”, “the Church in Purgatory”, and “the Church in Heaven”. In the pre-Vatican terms this refers to the “church militant, the church suffering and the church triumphant.”

This amazing mystery of unity has its principle and foundation in Jesus Christ himself whom St. Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12: 27 “You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” The reality of the union makes us aware that we, who still on earth, on the journey towards God and struggling against sin, are united with those being purified before entering the fullness of heaven where our brothers and sisters, who enjoy the beatific vision and infinite communion with the Triune God, are united in Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

In this communion we are united in the sacraments, the charisms of the Holy Spirit given to all the members for the good of the whole Church, and in charity that continually binds us with the Body of Christ. (CCC 948) It is noteworthy, therefore, that today that we celebrate the day of all the saints, “being more closely united to Christ.., we have our brothers and sisters who “will not cease to intercede with the Father for us…” (CCC 956) These are the men and women who faithfully brought into reality the ways of the Sermon of the Mount on the beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1-12) while still living in their earthy lives.

On this blessed the day we seek their constant prayers for us on earth since are still struggling against the powers of the Evil one in order that we may overcome all temptation that come our way. This is also the day, one day prior to the commemoration of the dead, that we ask the saints to intercede for the purification of the souls, still suffering in purgatory, so that one day all of us who followed Jesus with sincere love and deep devotion, would come together in the heavenly Kingdom prepared for each one freely and loving responded to the invitation to come to banquet of the heavenly wedding of the son of the King. Let us, therefore, thank the Lord for this wonderful mystery in which we are made aware during this celebration of all saints and all souls. United in prayer, as the faithful who made Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can live joyfully the fruits of the graces that this wonderful reality signifies and brings to reality in our lives.*