A sacred act of love and honour

Sacramentum is a series devised by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, exploring the sacraments of the Catholic Church and other aspects of parish life and Catholic devotion. In this reflection, pastoral intern Rudy Jerome Mallannao explores the meaning of remembrance, a particularly important theme over this month of November.

What does it mean to be remembered? Why is it important that we remember people who have passed on?

In this November issue of Sacramentum, we explore the profound role that remembrance plays in our faith and culture. To be remembered is to know that we are seen, valued, and loved—that our lives have meaning and that we have left an imprint on someone’s heart. When we remember others, we honor the gift of their presence, cherish the moments we shared, and acknowledge the impact they had on us. Through memory, we actively choose to keep their story alive, to carry forward their values, and to find deeper meaning in our shared experiences.

In our Catholic faith, remembering is not merely an act of the mind but a sacred connection of the heart. It reaches beyond time and space, keeping our loved ones close through prayer and honoring their influence in our lives. Remembering roots us in love, enriches our relationships, and connects us to a spiritual community that transcends life and death.

For Catholics, November is a month of solemn remembrance, dedicated to honoring those who have gone before us. This time invites us to pause, reflect, and pray for the souls of the deceased, weaving us into a tradition that affirms the enduring power of love and prayer.

Our remembrance is an act of faith, a way of reaching across time to connect with our departed loved ones in the Communion of Saints. Through these prayers and acts of love, we find comfort in the hope of eternal life, knowing that we remain united with them in Christ’s unbreakable bond.

We are called to remember all those who have passed onto eternal life this month of November. The Communion of the Saints is especially honoured on All Saints Day.

Speaking of remembrance, in Canada, November also brings Remembrance Day on the 11th, a national observance when we pay our respects to those who sacrificed their lives in military service.

This moment of national unity and gratitude reflects the Catholic understanding that honoring others in death strengthens our commitment to live with love, integrity, and service. The spirit of Remembrance Day aligns beautifully with our observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, celebrated on November 1 and 2. These special days invite us to honor the saints who have gone before us and to pray for the souls of all faithful departed.

All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1, honors all saints, both those officially recognized by the Church and those whose sanctity is known only to God. This day invites us to reflect on their holy lives and inspires us to live our own lives in faith, courage, and devotion. It is a reminder of our calling to sainthood and the eternal life awaiting us.

All Souls’ Day, on November 2, is a solemn day dedicated to praying for the souls in purgatory. Our prayers, almsgiving, and sacrifices offered for these souls assist them on their journey to heaven, reflecting our belief in the Communion of Saints. It is a beautiful reminder that, as members of the Body of Christ, our prayers and love support our deceased loved ones in their final purification, keeping our connection to them alive in a sincere way.

This month also presents a special opportunity for us to receive graces and plenary indulgences. The Church offers a plenary indulgence (the full remission of temporal punishment for sins) to Catholics who visit a cemetery and pray for the dead from November 1 to November 8. This act of intercession is a beautiful expression of love and mercy, strengthening our hope in eternal life and benefiting our departed brothers and sisters.

As we observe Remembrance Day on November 11th, we also honor St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier who dedicated his life to faith, charity, and humility. Famous for sharing his cloak with a beggar, later revealed to be Christ, St. Martin exemplifies sacrificial love and service. His legacy, as the patron saint of our archdiocese, calls us to be “soldiers of Christ,” living out compassion, justice, and peace in our daily lives.

St. Martin’s feast day, coinciding with Remembrance Day, is a fitting reminder that we, too, are called to reflect Christ’s love in our actions. His life teaches us that small acts of kindness can be powerful encounters with Christ, calling us to a life of intentional service.

A Challenge for Catholics This November

Let us make this month of remembrance a time of active love and faith. Here is a simple challenge to carry out this November:

As we journey through this November of remembrance, let us look to St. Martin of Tours as a model of love, compassion, and humility. St. Martin’s legacy teaches us that each act of charity, no matter how small, brings Christ’s love into the world and unites us in faith. May this month be a time of grace, drawing us closer to God and to the souls of those who have gone before us, united in the hope of resurrection and eternal life.

St. Martin of Tours, pray for us!