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Pope tells Christians to think of 'death without fear'
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians can cultivate a fearless acceptance of death, recognizing that it is a necessary juncture leading from one's journey on earth to one's final destination in heaven, said Pope Benedict XVI.
Observing the Nov. 1 feast of All Saints and anticipating the Nov. 2 feast of All Souls, Pope Benedict said these days of offering prayers for departed loved ones can help Christians "think of the mystery of death without fear."
"New life, received through baptism, is not subject to the corruption and power of death," he said Nov. 1 before praying his midday Angelus.
For Christians, "death is a gateway from the earthly pilgrimage to the home of heaven, where the Father welcomes all his children of every nation, race, people and tongue," he said.
He called on Christians to include some time during the two feast days to "think about the mystery of death without fear and cultivate that constant awareness that prepares us to face (death) with serenity."
Pope Benedict told thousands of visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square on the feast of All Saints, an Italian public holiday, that the day offers the opportunity "to experience the joy of being part of the large family of God's friends."
The communion of saints is "a family united by deep bonds of spiritual solidarity, which unite the deceased faithful to the world's pilgrims," he said.
This bond is "mysterious, but real" and is fostered "by prayer and participating in the sacrament of the Eucharist," the pope said.
The souls of all the faithful "overcome the barrier of death" and are united in the Eucharist, he said.
Pope Benedict said he would be spiritually united to all those visiting cemeteries Nov. 2, saying he would be "in prayer at the popes' tombs in the Vatican grotto" with "a special remembrance of the beloved John Paul II."
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians can cultivate a fearless acceptance of death, recognizing that it is a necessary juncture leading from one's journey on earth to one's final destination in heaven, said Pope Benedict XVI.
Observing the Nov. 1 feast of All Saints and anticipating the Nov. 2 feast of All Souls, Pope Benedict said these days of offering prayers for departed loved ones can help Christians "think of the mystery of death without fear."
"New life, received through baptism, is not subject to the corruption and power of death," he said Nov. 1 before praying his midday Angelus.
For Christians, "death is a gateway from the earthly pilgrimage to the home of heaven, where the Father welcomes all his children of every nation, race, people and tongue," he said.
He called on Christians to include some time during the two feast days to "think about the mystery of death without fear and cultivate that constant awareness that prepares us to face (death) with serenity."
Pope Benedict told thousands of visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square on the feast of All Saints, an Italian public holiday, that the day offers the opportunity "to experience the joy of being part of the large family of God's friends."
The communion of saints is "a family united by deep bonds of spiritual solidarity, which unite the deceased faithful to the world's pilgrims," he said.
This bond is "mysterious, but real" and is fostered "by prayer and participating in the sacrament of the Eucharist," the pope said.
The souls of all the faithful "overcome the barrier of death" and are united in the Eucharist, he said.
Pope Benedict said he would be spiritually united to all those visiting cemeteries Nov. 2, saying he would be "in prayer at the popes' tombs in the Vatican grotto" with "a special remembrance of the beloved John Paul II."
