Your Monthly Bulletin From the Archdiocese of New York
Letter from the Archbishop
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This past month, in the span of one week, I returned from walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, received the news that my father had passed away, attended the Al Smith Dinner, and then traveled to Chicago to celebrate my Dad’s Mass of Christian Burial. I spent a day with my mother helping her clear out my father’s room at his memory care facility, and the day after I boarded a plane and returned to New York.
I share this with you because it reminded me just how quickly life passes. Life can change in the blink of an eye. We do not know the day God will call us home, just as we do not know the day when Jesus Christ will return in glory.
As we begin the month of November, the Church invites us to reflect on this very reality through the celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. These holy days remind us of the promise of eternal life, the communion we share with the saints, and our responsibility to pray for the faithful departed. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how we live our lives and whether we are prepared to meet the Lord when the time comes.
In the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus reminds us to be ready, “For the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:40). But what does it mean to be ready?
It means keeping God at the center of our lives, in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. It means nurturing our relationship with Him through prayer, serving others, and gathering as a family of faith to celebrate the Eucharist.
Being prepared is not simply about anticipating the end of our earthly lives; it is about choosing, each day, to live in a way that draws us closer to Christ.
In these first days of November, let us renew our commitment to prayer, come together for the Eucharist, and remember our loved ones who have gone before us. May the saints inspire us and may our prayers for the faithful departed strengthen our hope in the Resurrection.
Please know that you are always in my prayers, and I ask that you keep me and my family in yours.
As I remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks
Archbishop of New York
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Liturgical Calendar
November is dedicated to the Faithful Departed, which we celebrate on November 2 with the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, also known as All Souls Day. On November 2 we pray in a special way for all those who have died and await the hope of the Resurrection in purgatory.
View Liturgy NewsletterThis Month's Focus · All Saints Day
November 1 is the Solemnity of All Saints, also known as All Saints Day or “All Hallows” – which is where the word “Halloween” comes from, since October 31 is the “eve of All Hallows!”
We are all part of the Communion of Saints, a family that includes those who have gone before us and now reside in Heaven with Our Blessed Mother and God, Our Father.
This Month's Focus · All Souls Day
On All Souls’ Day, the Church invites us to remember the faithful departed and pray for the souls of all who have died. Rooted in the belief in the Communion of Saints (expressed in the Apostle's Creed), we recognize that our love and responsibility for one another does not end with death. Scripture reminds us that it is “a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead” (2 Maccabees 12:46).
Eternal Rest (Requiem Aeternam)
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
This Month's Focus · A Season of Thanksgiving
November invites us to reflect on the many blessings in our lives and the holy men and women whose faith continues to inspire us. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let us also give thanks for the saints whose lives remind us to serve others, care for those in need, and grow closer to God.
Prayer Card
Prayer Card
On the Solemnity of All Saints, the Church honors every holy man and woman who now shares in the glory of heaven, both the saints we know by name and the countless faithful whose holiness is known to God alone. They are our companions and intercessors on the journey of faith.
Download this prayer card for your phone and keep it close throughout the season. Each time you see it, pause for a moment to pray with the saints and for your loved ones who have died.
Prayer Card
Thanksgiving Prayer Card
As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, let us pause and reflect on the blessings that surround us. From the beauty of our communities to the gift of family, fellowship, and the opportunity to serve others.
May this prayer inspire us to give thanks to God for all we have received and to carry a spirit of gratitude, generosity, and hope into the days ahead.
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