Brigitte Williams
This ritual meant to tell us that there was a blessing for us coming from the dead . The blessing wasn ’ t to be a kind of magic , but we were asked to think of our relationship with the dead . We should ask us what the dead person wanted to tell us , what had been important in his or her life , how his faith had given him strength in life . All Souls wants to invite us to remember the dead , so that they would be a blessing for us .
But this festival also wants to tell us something else , it says : You don ’ t live alone , the dead are the roots of our life , and we can see that they accompany us in our life . We live in a community with them , our community does not only consist of our living family , but also of those who went before us . They can be a backbone for us . This is important these days when many feel alone and deserted , & loneliness can become a reason for depression .
There is a cemetery in the small town of Bosau in North Germany , where you find inscribed on the gate : “ na hus ”, it says , “ going home ”, it wants to tell the visitor not to be afraid but that at the end of his path or life he ’ ll find his home . When going through the cemetery , you might think on those that are buried there .
Who were they , what have they believed , what had been their hopes in life , maybe some had led the life of a Saint ? We think of those people as Saints who had a special relationship with God and in their lives , this was shown like a light . Christians have honoured people like these as shining examples , not only those that were martyred but those who were examples of the love for their neighbours .
We also are reminded to think of our own death and to live life more intensively . As I know that my life is limited , I try to relate to others in a way that remembers it could be the last time we are meeting , so I don ’ t want to talk superficially but with love .
The festivals of All Saints and All Souls belong together , like the ‘ quick and the dead ’ belong to one community of the Saints .
Brigitte Williams
8