Dear friends of St. Bede,

The Bible is full of memorable sayings.  One of these memorable sayings can be found in the book of Ecclesiastes which reads: “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die…. a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

All Souls Day is the day set aside to commemorate all the faithful departed who have passed from this life. Simultaneously, the Church uses the entire month of November to remember those who have died. We pray for those people who lived among us and somehow touched our lives. We especially remember our family and friends, our neighbors, co-workers, and deceased monks and friends. We open our hearts in a special way to those who mourn the dead. The prayers we offer on behalf of our dear departed is a recognition the great hope we have of resurrection. As one of the prefaces we use at a funeral Mass puts it: life has changed, not ended.

Throughout the month of November, the St. Bede Abbey monastic community will remember your loved ones in prayer. Requests will be placed in the prayer chapel the community’s uses four times a day for its Liturgy of the Hours.

May your faith give you consolation as we pray for one another.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Abbot Michael Calhoun, OSB ‘89

All are welcome to join the monks for daily Mass either in person or through our live broadcasted Mass.