The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) led by Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles is calling on all Filipinos to focus their attention in praying for their departed loved ones as they visit their respective cemeteries on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
In a homily during a mass he celebrated at the San Pedro Cathedral, Archbishop Valles said that those who will be visiting the tombs of their departed relatives should pray for the eternal repose of their souls.
“Hopefully as we go there, we would be there not only with human sentiments, but we go there as men and women of faith,” Valles said.
He also reminded the Catholics to continuously observe the All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day as it is considered as a special commemoration.
In the Catholic tradition, All Saints’ Day (celebrated on November 1) is intended to commemorate all Christian saints, most especially those who have no feast days of their own. On this day, we are called to live like saints and honor all the saints.
Meanwhile, All Souls’ Day (celebrated in November 2) is a day of prayer for those who have passed away and are believed to be in purgatory.
Valles is also calling for a peaceful and meaningful Undas, as it has been a traditional observation by Catholics and non-Catholics in the Philippines.
CBCP, throughout the years, have been urging the public to respect the solemnity of Undas, as “a place of solemn repose, decorum and respect are paramount”.
The public is also appealed to keep cemeteries clean and free from too much noise.
