Faith and Light: Church Marks All Saints’ Day as a Celebration of Holiness and Hope
MANILA, Philippines — As millions of Filipinos flock to cemeteries and churches across the country for Undas 2025, the Catholic Church calls the faithful to reflect on the true meaning of All Saints’ Day—a celebration not of sorrow, but of sanctity and hope.
Every November 1, the Church honors all saints—known and unknown—who have reached Heaven through lives of faith, humility, and love. The Solemnity of All Saints, rooted in early Christian tradition, is a vivid reminder that holiness is not reserved for a chosen few but is a divine calling for everyone.
“All Saints’ Day is more than a commemoration of the dead; it’s a celebration of the living faith,” said theology scholar Jefferson Fernando. “It reminds us that sainthood begins in our daily acts of kindness, forgiveness, and service.”
From early martyrs like Saint Stephen to modern-day figures such as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, the Church pays tribute to those who lived out the Gospel in extraordinary ways. Their stories—of courage, compassion, and conviction—continue to guide generations of believers.
The feast’s origins date back to 609 A.D., when Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Roman Pantheon to the Virgin Mary and all martyrs. It was later formalized by Pope Gregory III in the 8th century and extended to the universal Church.
This year’s observance comes as Filipinos once again fill cemeteries and memorial parks after the pandemic years of restricted visits. Families are lighting candles, offering prayers, and sharing stories of faith—reaffirming the enduring Filipino tradition of honoring both the saints in Heaven and the souls of the departed.
As Pope Francis once reminded the faithful, “The saints are not superheroes; they are people who loved God with all their hearts.”
This All Saints’ Day, as candles flicker and prayers rise to the heavens, the Church invites every believer to follow in the saints’ footsteps—to live with courage, faith, and mercy, and to see holiness not as an ideal beyond reach, but as a daily mission of love.
