Saturday, November 1, 2008

The Proper of the Day: Feast of All Saints




Today is one of the seven Principle Feasts of the Church, the Feast of All Saints. On this day we remember not only all the saints already named in our calendar, but also those who are not known to us as well. It's one of my favorite days of the year because we sing some of my all time favorite hymns (although my organist says they are all my favorites), such as "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" and "For All the Saints." But in addition, it's a good time ask why my personal patron, St. John the Evangelist, is indeed my patron. He's my patron because I'm a member of the Fellowship of St. John and because I have special reverence and love for the Fourth Gospel. So my task, it seems to me, is to see how the special qualities of that Gospel are such that I can incorporate them into my life and carry on the work of the Beloved Disciple in my own daily living.

Who are the beloeved saints in your life? Perhaps it's one of the "official" ones, perhaps one known only to you. I invite you to name them in the Comments, and if you're willing, tell a bit about why he, she, or they are your favorites(s).

While you're pondering, here's a version of the hymn tune "Lasst uns erfeuen," which is the tune for "Ye Watchers...."






Almighty God, you 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 ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

RFSJ

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