Dom
Prosper Guéranger:
Truly this day is grand and beautiful. Earth, midway between Heaven and Purgatory, has united them together. The wonderful mystery of the Communion of Saints is revealed in all its fullness. The immense family of the sons of God is shown to be one in love, while distinct in its three states of beatitude, trial and purifying expiation: the trial and expiation being but temporary, the beatitude eternal. It is the fitting completion of the teaching given us through the entire year, and every day within the octave we will see the light increase. Meanwhile every soul is recollected, pondering over the dearest and noblest memories. On leaving the home of God, let our thoughts linger lovingly on those who have the best claim to them. It is the feast of our beloved dead. Let us hear their suppliant voices in the plaintive tones that, from belfry to belfry throughout the Christian world, are ushering in this dark November night. This evening or tomorrow they will expect us to visit them at the tombs where their mortal remains rest in peace.
Let us pray for them, and let us also pray to them: we need never be afraid to speak to them of the interests that were dear to them before God. For God loves them, and, as His justice keeps them in an utter inability to help themselves, He makes amends to His goodness by hearing them all the more willingly on behalf of others.
