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Liberty is awesome. Both wonderful and scary in its power. But it is where people develop to be at their best. Do my fellow Freepers have anything good to say for George Bernard Shaw? And to what extent is Bob Dylan a champion of freedom? I think he liberated the American voice. (Following in the footsteps, vocally, of Hank Williams and, imaginatively, of Walt Whitman.)

As Halloween approaches, the debate over whether Catholics should join in the celebrations has reignited. Many claim it is a harmless holiday for children that Catholics may freely participate in. Others affirm that it has now descended into dark regions with the return of pagan and Satanic imagery. It should thus be off limits. And then there are those who look for a third way somewhere in-between. They propose alternative celebrations, All Saints Day commemorations or fall festivals. In this way, Halloween, an originally Catholic feast, can be “re-Christianized” and re-purposed to promote the Faith. They hope to turn Halloween...

The idea of Purgatory as an intermediary state between Heaven and Hell is one of the most misunderstood and occasionally ridiculed aspects of Catholic doctrine. Though it is common for Protestants and even some Catholics to assume that Purgatory has no foundation in Sacred Scripture, that claim is actually false. The need for Purgatory developed from a close reading of Scripture by the Fathers of the Church, and the concept has a provenance stretching back to the earliest days of the Church. Furthermore, it has come to my attention recently that the Orthodox have a similar understanding of the need...

An All Souls Day Traditional Latin Mass was celebrated Wednesday on the Fort Hood Military base. The Mass was offered on the hood of a military humvee, the traditional way Mass is offered during time of battle. With some 60 people in attendance, the Mass was especially offered up for the fallen 1st Cavalry Division soldiers who died in the Battle of Unsanin during the Korean War on November 2, 1950. The Mass was held on the grounds of the 1st Cavalry Division Museum and was also in honor of Fr. Emile Kapaun, 1st Cavalry Division chaplain and Medal of...

November 2, 2014The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) The following are a selection of the readings that may be chosen for this day. Reading 1 Wis 3:1-9 The souls of the just are in the hand of God,and no torment shall touch them.They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;and their passing away was thought an afflictionand their going forth from us, utter destruction.But they are in peace.For if before men, indeed, they be punished,yet is their hope full of immortality;chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,because God tried themand found them...

Halloween and All Saints Day Fr. William Saunders Q: What are the origins of All Saints Day and All Souls Day? Are these linked with paganism and Halloween?Both the feast of All Saints and the feast of All Souls evolved in the life of the Church independently of paganism and Halloween. Let us first address the feast of All Saints. The exact origins of this celebration are uncertain, although, after the legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313, a common commemoration of the saints, especially the martyrs, appeared in various areas throughout the Church. For instance in the East, the city...

Hungry Souls (a bit of a review) Posted on 20 August 2010 by becomewhatyouare I can’t remember where I first saw a reference to the book, Hungry Souls – Supernatural Visits, Messages and Warnings from Purgatory. I saw it mentioned in a few places and what I read was enough to make me decide I wanted to read it.I was surprised by the quality of the (physical) book. Being published by TAN, I didn’t expect much by way of paper and binding quality. This book is as well made as any Ignatius book I own. I noticed that St. Benedict Press...

Well, I'm not a theological expert, so I can't explain exactly how praying for anyone (dead or not) works. I just know that we are commanded to pray for one another. Scripture commands us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and specifically demands that we intercede "for one another" (James 5:16) and that we pray "for all" (1 Timothy 2:1). There are no qualifiers in these instructions; nothing that would act as though death has separated the Body of Christ or made prayers ineffective. In addition to this, we know that praying for the souls of the dead was...

“….and Death is Gain” – A Meditation on the Christian View of DeathBy: Msgr. Charles Pope In the month of November we remember the souls of the faithful departed and our obligation to pray for them . November and into the early part of Advent is also a part of the Church Calendar when we begin to ponder the last things: death, judgment, heaven and hell. In the Northern hemisphere the days grow shorter and in regions further north, the once green trees and fields shed their lively green, and after the brief golden gown of autumn, a kind...

ALL SAINTS & ALL SOULS We are approaching the end of the liturgical year which will culminate with the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. At this feast we celebrate what we read in Scripture, that God will be all in all. As we move toward this feast during this month of November, as a church we focus on the four last things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. The thought of death may bring discomfort to non believers who are healthy, wealthy, and wise in our own estimation. It can mean the loss of power, prestige, and possessions...

November 1, 2007Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.  ~2 Maccabees 12:46November 2nd marks the Commemoration of All Souls; the day in which the earthly faithful are called to pray for the faithful departed in Purgatory.  Often considered connected to Pagan or other ritualistic ceremonies, All Souls Day is, in fact, a practice with roots in the early Church where the names of the faithful departed would often be posted so that Church members could pray for each soul by name.All Souls Day follows on the heels of All Saints Day, November...

Just a reminder for those interested in going to the TLM for All Souls Day and it's a First Friday. St.Columbkille Church 321 Market Street, Brighton at 7:00pm. Fr.Agustin Anda celebrant. Requiem High Mass with Chant Propers, Schola Amicorum. Holy Trinity 140 Shawmut Avenue, South End (not South Boston)7:00pm. Fr.Frederick O'Brien celebrant. Terry Requiem Low Mass, German Schola. Mary Immaculate of Lourdes 270 Elliot Street, Newton 12:00 noon and 7:30pm Requiem Low Mass. Fr.Charles Higgins celebrant. The noon sung by S Shore homeschool children. The evening will be Terry Requiem sung by Preces Cantatae.

Oops mess this up the first time, very hard to do with a cat on the mouse. Just a reminder for those interested in going to the TLM for All Souls Day and it's a First Friday. St.Columbkille Church 321 Market Street, Brighton at 7:00pm. Fr.Agustin Anda celebrant. Requiem High Mass with Chant Propers, Schola Amicorum. Holy Trinity 140 Shawmut Avenue, South End (not South Boston)7:00pm. Fr.Frederick O'Brien celebrant. Terry Requiem Low Mass, German Schola. Mary Immaculate of Lourdes 270 Elliot Street, Newton 12:00 noon and 7:30pm Requiem Low Mass. Fr.Charles Higgins celebrant. The noon sung by S Shore homeschool...

November 2, 2006 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) (The readings that follow are selected from among the options for this day.) Psalm: Thursday 44 Reading 1Wis 3:1-9 The souls of the just are in the hand of God,and no torment shall touch them.They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;and their passing away was thought an afflictionand their going forth from us, utter destruction.But they are in peace.For if before men, indeed, they be punished,yet is their hope full of immortality;chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,because God tried themand found them...

Commentary on Psalm 111(112)"The Faithful One Is Generous"VATICAN CITY, NOV. 2, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today at the general audience. He dedicated his address to a reflection on Psalm 111. * * * 1. After celebrating yesterday the solemn feast of all the saints of heaven, today we remember all the deceased faithful. The liturgy invites us to pray for all our loved ones who have passed away, turning our thoughts to the mystery of death, common heritage of all people. Illuminated by faith, we look at the human enigma of death...

November 2, 2005The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed(All Souls) Psalm: Wednesday 47 The following readings or those given in the Masses for the Dead, nos. 1011-1015, may be used.Reading IWis 3:1-9 The souls of the just are in the hand of God,and no torment shall touch them.They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;and their passing away was thought an afflictionand their going forth from us, utter destruction.But they are in peace.For if before men, indeed, they be punished,yet is their hope full of immortality;chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,because God tried themand found...

November 2, 2004The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed(All Souls) The following readings are selected from among the choices provided for this day. Other readings may be used. Reading IIs 25:6, 7-9 On this mountain the LORD of hostswill provide for all peoples.On this mountain he will destroythe veil that veils all peoples,The web that is woven over all nations;he will destroy death forever.The Lord God will wipe awaythe tears from all faces;The reproach of his people he will removefrom the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.On that day it will be said:"Behold our God, to whom we looked...

November 2, 2003The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed(All Souls) Psalm: Sunday 47 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Reading II Gospel The following readings are selected from those which may be used for this Mass.Reading IIs 25:6, 7-9 On this mountain the LORD of hostswill provide for all peoples.On this mountain he will destroythe veil that veils all peoples,The web that is woven over all nations;he will destroy death forever.The Lord God will wipe awaythe tears from all faces;The reproach of his people he will removefrom the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.On that day it will be said:"Behold our...

MOSCOW, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Halloween has taken a double whammy in Moscow from both school administrators and church officials banning it outright, the BBC reports. City education officials claim Halloween brings elements of religion into the classroom, which is forbidden. Meanwhile, the Russian Orthodox Church condemns the event's glorification of evil spirits. The education department is also reportedly concerned ghoulish elements of the holiday have upset parents, many of whom were distressed to see children pretending to hang each other after Halloween. A Russian Orthodox Church spokesman said Halloween was "more than strange." "When people turn to evil forces...

Celts gave Halloween its spooky start more than 2,000 years ago By CAROLINA CHACON Regardless of the phase of the moon, Oct. 31 is the darkest night of the year. Halloween is eagerly anticipated in the United States. Entire families go to great lengths to decorate their home and find the perfect costume for a bewitching good time. But these traditions have a rich history. Halloween originated more than 2,000 years ago with the Celts, tribal people who lived mainly in England, Ireland and Scotland. For them, summer was important, because of their crops, and winter was feared, because it...