November 1, 2004

The feast of All Saints is a way to honor the “unsung heroes” of the Christian centuries. They’re around us now. I often notice a crossing guard close to us here in Harlem, an African-American woman of grandmotherly age, who radiates a great joy each day in her work and who is clearly loved by the children whom she helps cross the street. I don’t know her, but I think she’ll “be in that number, when the saints go marching in” (unless she’s directing the traffic for them!).

Since none of us are above asking “what’s in it for us” on this feast day, it is also an opportunity to ask for some extra help. Especially in the light of these elections we are taking part in, it is a time to call upon the “Church Triumphant” to help us, the “Church Militant”, in the battle for a more just and life-giving society. How many of you have a holy grandmother or uncle or friend who has gone on to the Lord and who was a real “go-getter” in life? Who says they just want an indifferent sort of eternal rest now? Saint Therese wanted to spend her Heaven doing good on earth and it is obvious that she is. As we honor those who have made it to the throne of grace and mercy, let’s ask them to intercede for these elections. Ask them especially to intercede for those whom they prayed for while they were here on earth, members of your family or close friends, for the inspiration to vote according to Christian principles.

If you have to scratch your head a bit to think of intercessors from your family or friends whom you would definitely put in the All Saints category, certainly you have kin in the All Souls category, those who are in Purgatory. Let’s give them some interceding to do today as part of their purification, perhaps in atonement for some poor voting or indifference on their part while they were with us here.

Indeed the outcome of the elections will have not only political or economic consequences, but also moral and therefore eternal consequences and a ripple effect for a culture of life or culture of death around the world.

All Saints and All Souls, pray for us, pray for us, pray for us!

Fr. Richard Roemer, CFR
Community Vicar, residing at St. Joseph Friary in Harlem
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