This past Friday we celebrated the annual Feast of All Saints. This tradition reaches back to the early Church's custom of commemorating the martyrs who had died upholding their belief in Christ and the Church. By recalling those who gave their life's blood in courageously remaining faithful to their deepest commitment to Jesus, we are strengthened in our own faith. That faith is all-too-often being challenged by contemporary forces that are openly hostile and opposed to belief in God and the Gospel values and moral teachings of Jesus that are the very foundation of our own lives as Christians.

In the spirit of the November 1st feast day, the Society of Jesus also designates an annual day to honor the many canonized and beatified members of its world-wide religious community. On November 5th, Jesuit churches and institutions across the globe offer thanks to God for the gift of such great persons as Ignatius Loyola, Francis Xavier, Aloysius Gonzaga, Robert Bellarmine, Peter Claver, Alphonsus Rodriguez, Isaac Jogues, Miguel Pro, Edmund Campion and dozens of other Jesuit saints and blessed who lived lives of great virtue and holiness. Like all other saints, Jesuit saints are also role models for all of us who aspire to live lives of holiness.

The Fathers at Vatican Council II wrote these words about the saints in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (LUMEN GENTIUM): 

"It is fitting, therefore, that we love these friends and co-heirs of Jesus Christ who also are our brothers/sisters and outstanding benefactors, and that we give due thanks to God for them, humbly invoking them, and having recourse to their prayers, their aid and help in obtaining from God through his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Redeemer and Savior, the benefits we need."

 "SAINT IGNATIUS LOYOLA AND ALL THE SAINTS OF THE SOCIETY, PRAY FOR US."

Gratefully, In Christ,