Feast of All Saints

The whole of Saint Paul’s Catholic High School celebrated Mass to mark the special feast day of All Saints. It is a special day for the school and for Catholics across the world, who use the day as a focus for thinking about the importance of the work and legacy of all the saints and martyrs.

It is an opportunity for believers to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history. As part of this day of obligation, believers are required to attend church and try not to do any servile work.

Remembering saints and martyrs and dedicating a specific day to them each year has been a Christian tradition since the 4th century AD, but it wasn’t until 609AD that Pope Boniface IV decided to remember all martyrs. Originally 13th May was designated as the Feast of All Holy Martyrs. Later, in 837AD, Pope Gregory IV extended the festival to remember all the saints, changed its name to Feast of All Saints and changed the date to 1st November.

 

Mrs Breeda Stewart, Head of RE, explained: “This is an important day for the Catholic community. The opportunity to celebrate the unsung saints, those members of our own communities who have brought hope and light to those they met while here on earth. We gathered to pray for all our loved and lost and ask for the prayers of all the saints in heaven”

 

Mr Alex Hren, Head Teacher, said: “We gathered together as a school community to celebrate the feast of All Saints; it was a heart-warming event as we remembered all the saints and martyrs who have affected our lives.”