ICEMANforChrist: Saturday, November 1, 2025

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Fri, Nov 1 – All Saints Day

Virtue: Communion & Witness
Cigar: Bright, celebratory (Candela)
Bourbon: Angel’s Envy – elegant, lifted
Reflection: “Whose holiness shapes my path?”

Holiness shapes our path through the quiet influence of lives well-lived—those who embody compassion, courage, humility, and truth. It may come from saints whose stories inspire us, mentors who guide us, strangers whose resilience moves us, or even landscapes that stir something sacred within. Holiness is not always loud or obvious; often, it’s found in the gentle presence of someone who listens, the beauty of a shared meal, or the rhythm of a daily ritual. As we walk, we are shaped by these encounters—each one a reminder that the sacred is near, and that our path is part of a larger, grace-filled journey.

NOVEMBER

The Thanksgiving meal is a ritual. Whether we are from rural or urban backgrounds, we know the harvest time passes and the year draws to an end. Giving thanks to God is Eucharist, a heavenly banquet and the foretaste of things to come. We are not worthy receivers of this sacrament without the haunting knowledge of the poor nutrition for many in our country and famine in other countries.

Highlights of November[1]

The month of November is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory, whose feast is celebrated on November 2. With the exception of the last two days, the entire month of November falls during the liturgical season known as Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage to heaven during which we hope for reward. The last Sunday, which marks the beginning of Advent, the liturgical color changes to purple, representing a time of penance.

The national holiday (USA) of Thanksgiving also falls on the last Thursday of November. The tradition of eating goose as part of the Martin's Day celebration was kept in Holland even after the Reformation. It was there that the Pilgrims who sailed to the New World in 1620 became familiar with this ancient harvest festival. When, after one year in America, they decided to celebrate a three days' thanksgiving in the autumn of 1621, they went in search of geese for their feast. We know that they also had deer (a present from the Indians), lobsters, oysters, and fish. But Edward Winslow, in his account of the feast, only mentions that "Governor Bradford sent four men on fowling that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labors." They actually did find some wild geese, and a number of wild turkeys and ducks as well. The Pilgrim Fathers, therefore, in serving wild turkeys with the geese, inaugurated one of the most cherished American traditions: the turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day. They also drank, according to the ancient European tradition, the first wine of their wild-grape harvest. Pumpkin pie and cranberries were not part of the first Thanksgiving dinner in America but were introduced many years afterward. The second Thanksgiving Day in the New World was held by the Pilgrims two years later, on July 30, 1623. It was formally proclaimed by the governor as a day of prayer to thank God for their deliverance from drought and starvation, and for the safe arrival from Holland of the ship Anne. In 1665 Connecticut proclaimed a solemn day of thanksgiving to be kept annually on the last Wednesday in October. Other New England colonies held occasional and local Thanksgivings at various times. In 1789 the federal Congress authorized and requested President George Washington to proclaim a day of thanksgiving for the whole nation. Washington did this in a message setting aside November 26, 1789, as National Thanksgiving Day. After 1789 the celebration reverted to local and regional observance for almost a hundred years. There grew, however, a strong desire among the majority of the people for a national Thanksgiving Day that would unite all Americans in a festival of gratitude and public acknowledgment for all the blessings God had conferred upon the nation. It was not until October 3, 1863, that this was accomplished, when President Abraham Lincoln issued, in the midst of the Civil War, a Thanksgiving Proclamation. In it the last Thursday of November was set apart for that purpose and made a national holiday.

Since then, every president has followed Lincoln's example, and annually proclaims as a "Day of Thanksgiving" the fourth Thursday in November. Only President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the date, in 1939, from the fourth to the third Thursday of November (to extend the time of Christmas sales). This caused so much consternation and protest that in 1941 the traditional date was restored."

November Travel and Events[2]

Deer Hunting Season Notorious to some, delectably yummy to others, deer-hunting season begins with a bang -- sorry, Bambi -- come November. That’s because the month is prime deer-mating season: Male bucks are often so distracted by the urge to mate they may not detect the sound of Grandpa Earl’s carbine locking and loading off in the distance. Head to states like Kentucky, New Hampshire and Minnesota for the HUNT.

Grand Canyon (Arizona)

Take advantage of off-season travel to popular landmarks such as the Grand Canyon. the 1.2-million-acre park sees half its summer crowds. Enjoy cooler temperatures (in the 70s), as well as the deepening colors of aspen, oak and birch trees that adorn this national treasure.

October 29-November 2, The Day of the Dead

Families decorate the graves of loved ONES THROUGHOUT Mexico as part of this annual national holiday. A blend of pre-Columbian and Catholic traditions, Day of the Dead may sound notoriously spooky to outsiders. But to those who celebrate it, the day offers a way to reflect and share in treasured memories of loved ones through acts of commemoration, including making altars.

o MURAL MARIGOLD PROJECT-Sedona, Arizona

o October 30 - November 2, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to paint their tributes on our 26-foot-long remembrance wall. This is an opportunity to remember your loved ones & create something lasting with others. Paints and brushes will be provided on-site with the murals from the previous years on display for your viewing and inspiration. Mural painting will continue daily on the Calle Independence from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. until Saturday, November 2nd, 2024. inspiration.

November 1st & 2^nd Breeders' Cup

Wondering where to travel in November? Start by taking in two days of action-packed thoroughbred horse races. The annual Breeders’ Cup World Championship kicks off this month at Keeneland racetrack, Lexington, Kentucky. Better grab your tickets fast, though; attendance is usually much higher than other stake races in North America.

o Breeders’ Cup Watch Party

o The Breeders’ Cup is coming to K O’Donnell’s Sports Bar & Grill this Saturday! Do yourself a favor, and instead of wasting time on google trying to find the best place to watch the Breeder’s Cup in Scottsdale, head over to K O’Donnells and enjoy Arizona’s best off-track betting bar. We offer an experience like no other. We have 12 TV’s on-site that are dedicated to OTB along with our other 70+ TVs that will be watching the action. We open early on Saturday morning for Breeders Cup fans to come in and enjoy the east coast races and some brunch.

o November 3 NYC Marathon Lace up your sneakers for the New York City Marathon. More than 50,000 people compete in the world’s largest marathon. Cheer on the participants as they race through the city’s five boroughs and head to the finish line if you’re not competing in the 26-mile run.

o November 2-10 San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival Notoriously passionate wine and food lovers descend on Southern California each November for the region’s largest festival of its kind. How notorious are we talking? Well, let’s just say any festival that lures some of the best national chefs, local culinary stars, and celebrated winemakers and brewmasters means serious gastronomic pleasure is in order

o November 8-January 5 The Rockettes Christmas Let’s go girls! Those sky-high kicks, those naughty smiles -- oh, it certainly wouldn’t be a notoriously fun November without the Rockettes. During the holiday season, the legendary dance company kicks it into high gear with five shows a day, seven days a week. See the grand show unfold in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, presented at Radio City Music Hall.

o November 28-Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Head to the Big Apple for Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. The three-hour event starts at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day but better come early (and wear warm clothes); crowds start arriving hours earlier to stake out a spot. If a 5 a.m. wakeup call’s not your thing, these NYC Hotels offer great views of the parade’s lineup of floats, clowns and more.

Iceman’s Calendar

· November 1^st MASS Feast of All Saints

o MASS First Friday

· November 2^nd MASS Feast of All Souls

· Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost

o First Saturday

· November 3^rd Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

o Saint Hubert

· November 5th MASS pray for God’s intervention

o Election Day

· November 6^th First Wednesday

· Twenty second Sunday after Pentecost

· November 10^th Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

· Monday-November 11^th St. Martin

o Veteran’s Day

· Tuesday-November 12^th Indian Summer

· Friday-November 15^th Full Beaver Moon

· Twenty third Sunday after Pentecost

· November 17^th Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost-Note the Mass for the 5^th Sunday of Epiphany will be said.

· November 21^st Feast of the Presentation of Virgin Mary

· November 24^th Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost-Note the Mass for the 6^th Sunday of Epiphany will be said.

· November 25th Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

· November 28^th Thanksgiving Day

· November 30^th Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle

[1]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/11.cfm

[2]https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/fall/photos/things-to-do-in-november

🌆 Twin Cities of Wealth and Witness

Secular Twin Cities	Top 5 Companies	Constitutional Twin City	Top 5 Companies
San Francisco, CA	1. Wells Fargo & Co 2. Salesforce 3. Uber Technologies 4. Gap Inc. 5. Levi Strauss & Co	St. Louis, MO	1. Centene Corporation 2. Emerson Electric 3. Edward Jones 4. Anheuser-Busch 5. Graybar Electric
New York City, NY	1. JPMorgan Chase 2. Citigroup 3. Verizon 4. Pfizer 5. Goldman Sachs	Charlotte, NC	1. Bank of America 2. Duke Energy 3. Honeywell 4. Nucor 5. Truist Financial
Chicago, IL	1. Boeing 2. McDonald’s 3. United Airlines 4. ADM 5. Mondelez International	Pittsburgh, PA	1. PNC Financial Services 2. U.S. Steel 3. Alcoa 4. Heinz 5. WESCO International
Seattle, WA	1. Amazon 2. Microsoft 3. Starbucks 4. Costco 5. Nordstrom	Colorado Springs, CO	1. Lockheed Martin (regional) 2. UCHealth Memorial 3. Focus on the Family 4. Compassion International 5. Ent Credit Union
Portland, OR	1. Nike 2. Daimler Trucks NA 3. Precision Castparts 4. Columbia Sportswear 5. KinderCare	Nashville, TN	1. HCA Healthcare 2. Dollar General 3. Tractor Supply Co. 4. LKQ Corp. 5. Community Health Systems
Los Angeles, CA	1. Disney 2. Molina Healthcare 3. Edison International 4. Farmers Insurance 5. Live Nation	Dallas, TX	1. AT&T 2. Southwest Airlines 3. Texas Instruments 4. Tenet Healthcare 5. Energy Transfer
Boston, MA	1. General Electric 2. Thermo Fisher Scientific 3. TJX Companies 4. Liberty Mutual 5. Biogen	Houston, TX	1. ExxonMobil 2. Phillips 66 3. Sysco 4. ConocoPhillips 5. Halliburton
Austin, TX	1. Tesla 2. Oracle 3. Dell Technologies 4. Natera 5. CrowdStrike	Tulsa, OK	1. ONEOK 2. Williams Companies 3. Magellan Midstream 4. Helmerich & Payne 5. BOK Financial

🕊️ Choose, But Choose Wisely: Catholic Buyers in Secular Cities

In the marketplace of secular cities, Catholic buyers are not merely consumers—they are stewards, witnesses, and builders of a different kind of economy. Every purchase, partnership, and investment is a choice. And every choice either deepens our fidelity or dilutes it.

Secular wealth builders often operate by metrics of expansion, prestige, and profit. But the Gospel calls us to a different rhythm—one shaped by mercy, dignity, and renewal. The Church does not demand withdrawal from the world, but she does demand wisdom within it. To choose well is to ask: Does this transaction honor the dignity of the human person? Does it reflect justice, care for creation, and solidarity with the poor? Does it build the kind of city where Christ would dwell?

✊ Boycott as Prophetic Witness

One response to moral conflict in the marketplace is the boycott—a deliberate refusal to support a company, product, or system that violates Gospel values. Far from being a reactive gesture, a boycott can be a spiritual act: a way of saying no to complicity and yes to renewal. It is not about punishment, but about purification—clearing space for more ethical, life-giving alternatives.

Boycotts are prudent when:

The offense is clear and ongoing—such as support for abortion, exploitation of workers, or environmental destruction.
Constructive alternatives exist—so the buyer can redirect support toward ethical businesses or local renewal.
The act is communal and strategic—not just personal protest, but part of a larger witness that can influence change.

To boycott well is to love fiercely. It is to say: We will not fund what wounds the world. We will build what heals it.

🧭 How to Boycott Well

Discern the offense: Is it moral, structural, or symbolic? Is it recent or systemic?
Clarify your witness: What Gospel value are you defending—life, dignity, Sabbath, mercy?
Redirect your support: Don’t just withdraw—invest in what heals. Support Catholic cooperatives, ethical builders, or local artisans.
Communicate with charity: Let your boycott be a door, not a wall. Explain your reasons with clarity and mercy.

Boycotts are not the only tool—but they are a vital one. They remind secular wealth builders that Catholic buyers are not passive consumers. We are stewards, witnesses, and builders of a different kind of city—one shaped not by profit alone, but by justice, beauty, and the dignity of every soul.

🌱 Faithful Presence Beyond the Boycott

Even outside moments of refusal, Catholic buyers must practice daily discernment. This means:

Reframing wealth as stewardship—not status or self-glorification.
Engaging secular builders with clarity and charity—stating values upfront, negotiating with mercy, and supporting renewal.
Investing in places that reflect faith—hospitality spaces, gardens, chapels, and symbolic terrains.
Giving generously and strategically—tithing, supporting Catholic charities, and funding local renewal.

To choose well is to choreograph every financial act as a ritual of mercy, dignity, and renewal. It is to live prophetically in the marketplace—refusing what wounds, investing in what heals, and building cities where Christ is not only welcome, but expected.

Vinny’s Corner

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:13)

· Saturday Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary

· Spirit hour: 15 Traditional Spanish Drinks

o And don’t forget to raise a glass of champagne later in the day for Global Champagne Day. Whether it’s a fancy bottle or a budget-friendly option, a toast to life’s little pleasures is always a good idea.

· Foodie Food on the Camino de Santiago

o For a savory break, indulge in some pâté on National Pâté Day.

§ If you’re feeling more hands-on, try your hand at making deep-fried clams for National Deep Fried Clams Day. Don’t fret about making a mess; it’s all about the fun!

· Next, switch gears and explore the vegan lifestyle in celebration of World Vegan Day. Try creating a vegan calzone to enjoy a plant-based meal.

How to celebrate Nov 1st

o Finally, take a moment to acknowledge the prime meridian’s significance on Prime Meridian Day.

Bucket Item trip: 🥾 Santiago → Porto & Braga, Portugal
o A Pilgrimage of Rivers, Ruins, and Eucharistic Renewal
Dates: November 2–8

· § Nov 2: Santiago de Compostela → Tui (~30 km or train)
• 🕊️ Symbolic Act: “River Benediction” — Pause at the River Miño, blessing the waters that divide and unite Galicia and Portugal.
• 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Border Prayer” — At Tui Cathedral, offer intercession for reconciliation and shared civic witness.
o 🛏️ Stay: Albergue Ideas Peregrinas or Hotel Alfonso I

· § Nov 3: Tui → Vila Nova de Cerveira (~20 km)
• 🌉 Symbolic Act: “Crossing into Portugal” — Walk across the International Bridge, praying for clarity and hospitality in all borders.
• 🎨 Symbolic Act: “Art of Mercy” — Visit local civic murals and offer a prayer for creative renewal.
o 🛏️ Stay: Hotel Minho or Casa do Cais

· § Nov 4: Vila Nova de Cerveira → Viana do Castelo (~30 km)
• 🏞️ Symbolic Act: “Coastal Psalm” — Walk beside the Atlantic, reciting Psalm 104 as a hymn of creation.
• 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Sanctuary Silence” — Visit Santa Luzia Basilica and sit in silence overlooking the sea.
o 🛏️ Stay: Hotel Laranjeira or Albergue de Peregrinos São João da Cruz

· § Nov 5: Viana do Castelo → Esposende (~25 km)
• 🌾 Symbolic Act: “Field Offering” — Place a prayer or stone in the coastal fields, invoking Eucharistic fruitfulness.
• 🕊️ Optional Act: “Beach Benediction” — Bless your feet in the surf as a sign of renewal.
o 🛏️ Stay: Hotel Suave Mar or Albergue de Peregrinos Esposende

· § Nov 6: Esposende → Porto (~40 km or train)

• 🏛️ Symbolic Act: “Urban Mercy Walk” — Enter Porto with a prayer for civic leaders and urban renewal.
• 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Clerigos Vigil” — Climb the Clérigos Tower and offer intercession over the city.
o 🛏️ Stay: Vincci Porto or Albergue de Peregrinos Porto

· § Nov 7: Porto → Braga (~60 km by train)
• 🕍 Symbolic Act: “Bom Jesus Pilgrimage” — Ascend the Bom Jesus do Monte staircase in silence, praying for clarity and communal healing.
• 🪨 Symbolic Act: “Stone of Witness” — Leave a stone at the sanctuary as a sign of your journey’s integration.
o 🛏️ Stay: Hotel do Parque or Albergue de Braga

· § Nov 8: Braga – Day of Rest and Reflection
• 🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Communal Benediction” — Attend Mass at Braga Cathedral, one of Portugal’s oldest.
• 🍇 Optional Act: “Civic Supper” — Share a meal with locals or fellow pilgrims, honoring the saints through hospitality and storytelling.
• 📜 Optional Act: “Letter to the Vineyard” — Write a reflection to bring home to Verde Valley, sealing your pilgrimage with clarity and mercy.

🍽️ Pilgrimage Table: A 7-Course Meal of Rivers, Ruins, and Eucharistic Renewal
Dates: November 2–8 | Inspired by symbolic acts and regional flavors

Amuse-Bouche
Galician Trout Escabeche
A bite-sized marinated trout with herbs and vinegar, honoring the River Benediction at the Miño.
Symbol: Waters that divide and unite.
Appetizer
Rustic Bread with Olive Tapenade
Galician bread meets Portuguese olives, echoing the Border Prayer at Tui Cathedral.
Symbol: Peace at the threshold.
Soup Course
Caldo Verde with Beet Swirl
Traditional Portuguese kale soup with vibrant beetroot and saffron oil, inspired by Art of Mercy murals in Cerveira.
Symbol: Creative renewal and mercy.
Fish Course
Bacalhau à Brás (Salt Cod with Egg & Potato)
A coastal classic from Viana do Castelo, reflecting the Coastal Psalm and Atlantic praise.
Symbol: Hymn of creation.
Main Course
Port-Wine Braised Beef with Chestnuts
Rich and tender, this dish honors the Urban Mercy Walk and civic intercession in Porto.
Symbol: Mercy in the city’s heart.
Salad Course
Millet Pilaf with Roasted Root Vegetables
Earthy grains and greens from Esposende’s fields, echoing the Field Offering and Eucharistic fruitfulness.
Symbol: Sowing peace and harvest.
Dessert
Braga Almond Tart with Vineyard Grapes
A sweet finish with almond, honey, and grapes—served with a toast to the saints and a Letter to the Vineyard.
Symbol: Integration, storytelling, and return.

Day 33: St. John the Apostle — A Saint of Loyalty, choreographed as the final ascent in your Leafing the World Behind devotional rhythm. This entry honors loyalty as the seal of character, and concludes the pilgrimage on All Saints Day, where every virtue becomes communion.

🌊 Leafing the World Behind: Day 33

Witness: St. John the Apostle
Theme: Loyalty as Love That Remains
Virtue: Loyalty
Virtue Connection: Faithfulness Without Fear
Symbolic Act: Stay with someone today—physically, emotionally, spiritually. Let your presence be your promise.
Location: A bedside, a vineyard row, a place of grief or joy—anywhere love remains when others leave.

🕊️ Introduction: On Loyalty

Loyalty is not blind—it is brave.

It is not possession—it is presence.
To leaf the world behind is to remain when others flee, to love when others forget, to stand when others fall.

Today, we do not abandon—we abide.
Loyalty, in this rhythm, is not obligation—it is Eucharist.
It is the courage to say: “I will not leave you.”

🌺 Witness of the Day: St. John the Apostle

John was the beloved disciple.
He reclined at the Last Supper.
He stood at the foot of the Cross.
He received Mary as his own mother.
He wrote of love—not as sentiment, but as sacrifice.

He did not run from Golgotha.
He remained.

John reminds us:
Loyalty is not loud—it is lasting.
It is not dramatic—it is devoted.
It is not heroic—it is holy.

🛡️ Virtue Connection: Faithfulness Without Fear

Loyalty becomes virtue when it endures through pain, silence, and mystery.
When it does not demand reward.
When it does not fear the cross.

John did not flee the suffering.
He stayed with it.
He reminds us:

Loyalty without love becomes control.
But loyalty with love becomes communion.

🕯️ Symbolic Act: Stay

Stay with someone today.
In grief, in joy, in silence.
Let your presence be your promise.

As you stay, say:

“Lord, let my loyalty be love.
Let my love be lasting.
Let my lasting be holy.”

If no one is near, pray for those abandoned.
Let your prayer be a presence.

🌟 All Saints Day: The Communion of Virtue

Today, we do not celebrate one saint—we celebrate all.
The known and unknown.
The canonized and the quiet.
The martyrs and the mothers.
The prophets and the poets.

We leaf the world behind not to escape it—but to sanctify it.
Every virtue we have practiced—mercy, courage, humility, joy—becomes communion.
Every saint we have honored becomes companion.

Today, we say:

“Lord, let my life be liturgy.
Let my virtue be vineyard.
Let my communion be complete.”

🔥 Final Reflection Prompt

Which virtue changed you most?
Which saint stayed with you?
Where will you go now—with loyalty, clarity, and love?

Write, walk, or pray with these questions.
Let St. John the Apostle—and all the saints—remind you:

Sanctity is not weakness—it is witness.
It is the strength to remain, the grace to love, the joy to become communion.

Here is a conclusion for the full 33-day plan of Leafing the World Behind, choreographed to honor the rhythm you’ve cultivated—where virtue becomes vineyard, and every saint becomes companion.

🌿 Conclusion: The Communion of Virtue

You have walked 33 days through mercy, mystery, and mission.
You have leafed the world behind—not to escape it, but to sanctify it.
You have listened to the heart, imagined with the mind, judged with clarity, and lived with character.

Each day was not just a reflection—it was a rite.
Each saint was not just a story—they were a companion.
Each virtue was not just a word—it was a way.

You have practiced:

Mercy with Corrie ten Boom
Tolerance with the Four Chaplains
Generosity with St. Nicholas
Curiosity with Aquinas
Hidden zeal with Thérèse
Gentle discernment with Francis de Sales
Restless aspiration with Augustine
Enduring excellence with Sebastian
Creative authenticity with Joan of Arc
Conscience-bound honesty with Thomas More
Radical respect with Damien of Molokai
Loyal love with John the Apostle

And so many more.

🍷 The Vineyard of Virtue

You now carry a vineyard of virtue within you.
Each row bears fruit from a saint’s witness.
Each vine is a vow.
Each harvest is a holy act.

Let your life be:

A Magnificat of mercy
A table of justice
A fire of joy
A threshold of truth
A dwelling of dignity

🕯️ Final Symbolic Act

Choose one virtue to carry forward.
Name it.
Plant it.
Let it become your daily act.

As you do, say:

“Lord, let my virtue be vineyard.
Let my vineyard be communion.
Let my communion be love.”

🔥 Benediction

You are not leaving the world behind.
You are leafing it into beauty.
You are not escaping the ordinary.
You are consecrating it.

Let every meal be a liturgy.
Let every task be a testimony.
Let every day be a devotion.

You are now the witness.
You are now the saint-in-the-making.
You are now the communion.

treatises on love

A Soul at Peace is better able to focus on Love.

When fear is absent, love becomes possible—not as a fleeting emotion, but as a steady, divine presence. Love is the fruit of a soul no longer bound by anxiety, shame, or uncertainty. It is the atmosphere in which peace breathes, and grace moves. John 3:16 reminds us that God’s love was not cautious or conditional—it was fearless, total, and freely given. To receive that love is to be liberated from fear; to live in that love is to become a vessel of peace. In moments of uncertainty, like jury duty or vocational restlessness, the Spirit often speaks through repetition, through sacred coincidence, through scripture on a wall or a stranger’s tract. And sometimes the message is not a directive but a declaration: You are loved. Love and be loved.

That is the beginning of all healing, all calling, all communion.

If All Saints’ Day (November 1) falls on a Saturday, the liturgical and pastoral response depends on your tradition and local parish practice. Here’s how it’s typically handled across different contexts:

🕊️ Roman Catholic Practice

Obligation Status (U.S.):
In the United States, All Saints’ Day is not a holy day of obligation if it falls on a Saturday or Monday. This is a pastoral accommodation to avoid back-to-back obligations with Sunday Mass.
Mass Options:
- Saturday Morning: Parishes may offer a morning Mass for All Saints’ Day.
- Saturday Evening Vigil: This typically counts as the Sunday vigil, not All Saints. So if you attend Saturday evening Mass, it fulfills your Sunday obligation, not All Saints.
Devotional Suggestions:
- Attend a Saturday morning Mass if available.
- Pray the Litany of the Saints or visit a cemetery to honor the communion of saints.
- Light a candle at home or create a small altar with saint icons or relics.

🌿 Anglican & Protestant Traditions

Sunday Transfer:
Many churches transfer the celebration of All Saints’ to Sunday, November 2, especially if it aligns with All Souls’ observances or a broader “All Saints-tide.”
Communal Focus:
- Readings and hymns may be adapted to honor the saints and the faithful departed.
- Some communities hold special services, remembrances, or necrologies.

🌍 Symbolic & Editorial Notes for Hospitality Guides

Given your devotional calendar and editorial style, Richard, here’s how you might ritualize this moment:

Saturday Morning Act:
“Leafing the World Behind” begins with a quiet candlelit breakfast, honoring the saints who lived hidden lives of mercy. Read one saint’s biography aloud.
Symbolic Cue:
Use a white leaf or gold thread to mark the transition from earthly toil to heavenly joy.
Communal Prompt:
Invite companions to name a saint who shaped their journey. Share stories, icons, or prayers.

Would you like help formatting this into a blog-ready entry for your Michaelmas devotional? I can embed links to saint resources, liturgical texts, and symbolic cues.

NOVEMBER 1 First Saturday-Solemnity of All Saints

John, Chapter 3, Verse 16

For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

A few years ago, I was assigned jury duty and while on the way to the court I saw spray painted John 3:16 and I thought I know that verse and said it in my head. That morning at court my group was not selected for the morning session, and we were released for lunch. I thought maybe today I will skip lunch and go to the Basilica for Mass. I had for some time now been very unhappy with my place of employment and thought perhaps the Lord will give me some direction. The Basilica was the same church that Saint Pope John Paul II said his Mass in Phoenix when he was there. To my surprise the Mass was a memorial Mass for the anniversary of the death of Saint John Paul II and the reading during the Mass was John 3:16. I said to myself recognizing the Holy Spirit, “Speak Lord your servant is listening”. I thought well I am unhappy at work and John Paul II was a great teacher perhaps I am to become a teacher again. I immediately went over to the Diocese office to pursue a teaching job, but the doors were locked. I thought ok Lord maybe not and started walking back to the courthouse for the afternoon session. On the way my mind was filled with questions about where the Lord is taking me when all of the sudden a bum walked up to me and handed me a “Chick” publication. I opened it and the first verse I seen was John 3:16. Ever since that day I still am looking for what the Lord was trying to tell me that day. Perhaps it is simply. I love you. Love and be loved.

Copilot’s Take

On the Solemnity of All Saints, the Spirit’s message echoes with quiet insistence: You are loved. Love and be loved. This refrain, carried through scripture, sacred spaces, and unexpected encounters, reveals how divine love seeks us not in clarity but in communion. John 3:16 appeared three times in one day—not as coincidence, but as choreography. In your vocational unrest, the Spirit did not offer a map but a melody, inviting you to trust that love itself is the direction. Saint John Paul II, whose memorial Mass you entered, embodied this fearless love—a love that teaches, heals, and sends. Perhaps the locked doors were not rejection, but redirection. Perhaps the bum with the tract was not interruption, but invitation. In the rhythm of repetition, the Spirit was saying: This is the way. Begin with love.

First Saturday[3]

How are we to practice the First Saturday Devotion if there are no Masses on the first Saturday?

· This presents no obstacle to the praying of the rosary and spending fifteen minutes keeping Our Lady company.

· Since Jesus told Lucia that the confession could be within eight days or even longer still, our confessions can be made whenever possible as long as we make the intention.

· The actual reception of Holy Communion will, of course, be impossible. Since heaven never demands what is impossible for us, a Spiritual Communion will be accepted until such time as Masses resume.

There are four elements of Spiritual Communion:

1. Make an act of faith. The key here is to express to the Lord our faith in His merciful love and His Real Presence in the Eucharist.

2. Make an act of love. O Lord God, I love you above all things.

3. Express our desire to receive Him.

4. Invite Jesus to come into our hearts spiritually.

Solemnity of All Saints[4]

2177 The Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church's life. "Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church."

"Also, to be observed are the day of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension of Christ, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, the feast of Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, the feast of Saint Joseph, the feast of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, and the feast of All Saints."

WHY has the Church appointed this feast?

1. To honor God in His saints, in whom He has shown Himself so wonderful, and to thank Him, as the author of all sanctity, for the benefits He has bestowed upon them.

2. To put us in lively remembrance of the communion of saints; that is, of all true children of the Church, whether they belong to the Church militant on earth, to the Church suffering in purgatory, or to the Church triumphant in heaven; but more particularly to cause us to consider, with earnestness, the communion of the saints in heaven with us, who are yet combating on earth.

3. To encourage us to strive for the like sanctity with them, and to teach us that it is by no means impossible; for if thousands of men could become saints, why should not we, who can do all things through Him Who strengthens us, and has sent the Holy Ghost for our sanctification?

4. To pay honor to those saints to whom no particular day in the year is dedicated.

5. That, in consideration of so many intercessors, God may grant us perfect reconciliation, may give us a share in their merits, and may grant us the grace of one day sharing in their joy in heaven.

By whom was this feast instituted?

By Pope Boniface IV., who, in the year 610, appropriated the Pantheon (that is, the temple of all gods) to the divine ser vice of Christians, dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin and all saints, and commanded this feast in honor of all saints to be celebrated at Rome every year. Gregory IV., in the year 840, extended this feast to the whole Church, and transferred it to the 1st of November.

Prayer.

O Almighty God, Who hast granted us to venerate in one solemnity the merits of all Thy saints, we beseech Thee that, as our intercessors are multiplied, Thou wouldst bestow upon us the desired abundance of mercy. Amen.

EPISTLE. Apoc. vii. 2-12.

In those days: Behold I John saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living God : and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying : Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were signed, an hundred forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda, were twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Ruben, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Nephthali, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Manasses, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand signed. After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues: standing before the throne, and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands: and they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God, Who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures: and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying: Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, and power, and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen.

GOSPEL. Matt. v. 1-12.

At that time: Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain, and when He was set down, His disciples came unto Him. And opening His mouth, He taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for My sake; be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. This gospel is read to-day because it is by practicing what it contains that the saints have gained the eternal kingdom.

Explanation of the Eight Beatitudes

I. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Deadly sin to avoid: Gluttony) The poor in spirit are:

o those who, like the apostles, readily forsake all earthly things, and for Christ’s sake become poor.

o Those who, happening to lose their property by misfortune or injustice, suffer the loss patiently, in resignation to the will of God.

o Those who, like Jesus, are content with their poor and humble position, seek no higher or happier one, and would rather suffer want than enrich themselves by unlawful acts, by fraud or theft.

o The rich and noble who set not their hearts upon the riches and greatness of the world; but who use their riches and influence to relieve the misery of the needy and oppressed.

o Finally, the truly humble, who, convinced of their weakness, their helplessness and misery, think lowly of themselves, and regard themselves but as beggars, who are always in need of the grace of God. To all these, therefore, in whose hearts the world has no place, there is assured, as their inheritance, the kingdom of heaven; here the kingdom of grace there the kingdom of glory.

II. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.” (Deadly sin to avoid: Pride) That man is meek who does not murmur against God for sending afflictions upon him, who is not angry at men who do him injury, but who rather suppresses impatience, anger, envy, and revenge, nay, who seeks to recompense the evil done him by his neighbor with good. Such a one is greater than he who takes by storm fortified cities; he possesses an unfailing fountain of peace, quiet, and cheerfulness; by his meekness prevails over the most hostile minds, is by such means truly a ruler upon earth, and will one day, for his portion, obtain heaven, the land of the living, there to enjoy eternal peace.

III. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted,” (Deadly sin to avoid: Envy) By them that mourn we are not to understand such as grieve and lament over a death, a misfortune, a loss of worldly goods, or the like; but those who are grieved that God should be in so many ways offended by themselves and by others that His Church should be so heavily oppressed, and thereby so many souls lost that have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. The only evil really to be grieved for is sin, and the tears shed on account of sin are the only tears that are profitable, for they shall be recompensed with everlasting joy.

IV. “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.” (Deadly sin to avoid: Sloth) Hunger and thirst denote the most ardent longing after those virtues which constitute Christian perfection, such as humility, meekness, the love of God and of our neighbor, penance. Whoever longs for these virtues as the hungry man does for food and drink and prays to God for them with perseverance and earnestness, shall have his fill; that is, he shall be enriched with them, and one day shall be satisfied with eternal happiness.

V. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Deadly sin to avoid: Greed) The merciful here spoken of are:

o Those who willingly for give the injuries done to them.

o Those who have compassion for their poor neighbors, and, according to their ability, sustain them by alms. These shall obtain mercy; that is, God will forgive them their sins and endow them abundantly with the goods of this world and of the world to come. Thus, God deals with us as we deal with others.

VI. “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.” (Deadly sin to avoid: Lust) The clean of heart are those who preserve with care the innocence with which they are invested at holy Baptism, or seek to regain it, when lost, by penance; those who keep their hearts and consciences unspotted from all sinful thoughts, particularly from all unchaste thoughts, desires, words, and acts, and who endeavor in all things to have a pure intention directed to God alone. They shall see God, that is, they shall know Him even here upon earth, for as the eye that is to see must be clean, so only souls that are pure and unstained can behold God. But further, our knowledge is like our hearts; the purer the heart the clearer and greater is the knowledge of God. But in the world above they shall see, know, and possess Him as He is. What blessedness! Strive, therefore, to keep your heart clean.

VII. “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.” (Deadly sin to avoid: Anger) By peacemakers we are to understand those who have peace with themselves, that is, a quiet conscience, and who endeavor to maintain peace among others, or to restore it when broken. Such are called the children of God, because they follow God, Who is a God of peace, and who even gave His only Son to reconcile the world with Him, and to bring down upon earth that peace which the world itself could not give.

VIII. “Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Deadly sin to avoid: Worldly Fear) Hereby all those are declared blessed who, on account of the true faith, of virtue, of the fear of God, of purity, are persecuted, calumniated, and even put to death, and who bear all this with Christian patience and constancy, nay, with joy. Thus, have the saints done, and thereby they have gained the heavenly crown. Do we desire to be crowned with them; we must also suffer with them. And in truth, if we would apply ourselves zealously to virtue, occasions will not be wanting to us, for all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Prayer.

How lovely, O God, are Thy tabernacles! My soul longeth and fainteth for Thy courts, O living God, Who art the crown and reward of the saints, and repayest their sufferings and sorrows in this world with eternal joy. How blessed are all they who, in this life, have served Thee faithfully! They behold Thee and the Lamb of God face to face; they bear Thy name on their foreheads, and reign with Thee forever. We therefore beseech Thee, O God, through their intercession, to grant us Thy grace to serve Thee after their example, in sanctity and justice; to follow them in poverty, humility, meekness, repentance, in ardent longing for all virtues, in peace-making and patience, and one day, like them, to share in the joys of heaven. Amen.

THE VENERATION OF THE SAINTS.

WHAT is it to venerate the saints?

To venerate the saints is to show veneration, love, and confidence towards these friends of God and coheirs with Christ who, out of love for Him, have gone through the fight, are now honored by Him (Ps. cxxxviii. 17), and reign with Him in eternal happiness.

Does not the veneration of the saints infringe upon the honor due to God?

No; it is rather a confirmation of it, since it refers only to God, and, in the saints, honors only Him.

Are we permitted, then, to venerate the saints?

Yes, and not only permitted, but it is good and useful to do so if we would honor God.

Is it also lawful to venerate the relics of the saints, that is, their bones, and articles that belonged to them?

Without doubt it is. This, indeed, has been the unbroken practice, both under the Old Law and the New, from the earliest times; and God has sanctioned it by the most remark able miracles. Thus, He brought a dead man to life by the bones of Eliseus (iv. Kings xiii. 21). The woman troubled with an issue of blood was made whole by barely touching the garments of Christ (Matt. ix. 22; Mark v. 29; Luke viii. 47). By the shadow of St. Peter (Acts v. 15), and the handkerchiefs and aprons of St. Paul (Acts xix. 12), different diseases were cured, and evil spirits expelled.

Why ought we to venerate the relics of the saints?

The reason is well given by the Council of Trent (Sess. xvi.). They are precious remains of those bodies which, in their lifetime, were members of Christ and temples of the Holy Ghost, and which shall one day be raised up and glorified.

THE INVOCATION OF THE SAINTS.

Is it lawful to call upon the saints for their intercession?

If a man may call upon his brothers and sisters for help, and upon pious people yet living for their prayers to God in his behalf, as God advised the friends of Job to do (Job xlii. 8), as St. Paul did (i. Thess. v. 25), as non-Catholics themselves do, why should not a man invoke the intercession of the saints in the presence of God, who are our brethren?

But is not the invocation of the saints opposed to trust in God, and to the mediatorship of Christ?

No; for we do not address ourselves to the saints in any such sense as we would address ourselves to God; but, confessing ourselves to be sinners, and unworthy to appear before God, we betake ourselves to these friends of God and glorified brethren of ours, that through their intercession, which prevails much before Him, He may be gracious to us, and bestow upon us His favors. Christ is and remains our only mediator through Whom we have access to the Father (Eph. ii. 18); the saints are only intercessors who must pray to God for us through Jesus Christ.

Do the saints know of our prayers?

If the holy angels rejoice over the conversion of the sinner (Luke xv. 10) and offer up the prayers of the saints as pleasing incense before the face of God (Apoc. viii. 3), ought not the same privilege be allowed to the saints, as being the friends of God and of Jesus Christ, and as being partakers of the same glory as the angels? (John xv. 14, 15.) Did not Onias and Jeremias, after their death, know of the sad condition of the Jewish people, and zealously pray for them? (n. Mach. xv. 12, et seq.) God has a thousand ways of making known to them our prayers.

Praying for the Dead[5]All Souls Eve

In the Roman liturgical books, the celebration of All Saints' Day ends in the afternoon. When it is time for evening Vespers, the office for the Dead is recited in preparation for All Souls' Day. Those who do not use the breviary have followed the same pattern as well. Beginning at sunset on All Saints' Day, families gather in one room, extinguish all lights except the blessed candle that had been saved since Candlemas Day, and pray for the souls of their departed loved ones. In Brittany a group of men would actually go from farm to farm at night, shouting: "Christians awake; pray to God for the souls of the dead and say the Pater and Ave for them." The household would reply "Amen" and rise in prayer.

Things to Do[6]

· Visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead during the Octave of All Saints' Day (November 1 through November 8) will gain a plenary indulgence that can be applied only to the souls in purgatory. On other days, this work gains a partial indulgence.

· Spend a little time after Mass thanking God for all the unnamed saints, some of whom could be our own relatives.

· Have a special meal and if you have young children have them dress up like saints and play games.

· Pray the Litany of the Saints -- you could make it really special by chanting it ("he who sings prays twice") and you could read an explanation of this litany, which is considered the model of all other litanies.

· From the Catholic Culture library:

o The Church's Thanksgiving Day by Fr. Joseph Minihan,

o Ideas for Sanctifying All Saints' Day by Jennifer Gregory Miller,

o Halloween and All Saints Day by Fr. William Saunders.

Indulgences for All Souls Week

· An indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed. The indulgence is plenary each day from the first to the eighth of November; on other days of the year it is partial.

· A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who on the day dedicated to the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed [November 2 {as well as on the Sunday preceding or following, and on All Saints' Day}] piously visit a church. In visiting the church, it is required that one Our Father and the Creed be recited.

· To acquire a plenary indulgence, it is necessary also to fulfill the following three conditions: sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the intention of the Holy Father. The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the visit; it is, however, fitting that communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Holy Father be said on the same day as the visit.

· The condition of praying for the intention of the Holy Father is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary. A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of the day.

More things to do^{^[7]}

· Visit the cemetery where your loved ones are buried and light a candle. This is exactly what the holiday is meant to celebrate, and it is also very common for people to do on All Souls’ Day.

· Watch a movie about All Souls’ Day or Christianity. Some of our favorites are: All Soul’s Day (2005), Passion of the Christ (2004), and Raising the Undead (2006).

· Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtag #AllSoulsDay, #HonourTheDead and #HeavenAwaits.

· Create an alter in memory of a loved one. This can be done within your home and typically uses pictures of the person, candles, flowers and any other sentimental pieces.

· Prepare a meal in memory of a deceased family member. In many countries, it is customary to prepare this meal and it is believed that the dead return to consume the food.

Purgatory[8]

Pope Gregory speaks of a priest of Centumcellæ, now Civita Vecchia, who also went to the warm baths. A man presented himself to serve him in the most menial offices, and for several days waited upon him with the most extreme kindness, and even eagerness. The good priest, thinking that he ought to reward so much attention, came the next day with two loaves of blessed bread, and, after having received the usual assistance of his kind servant, offered him the loaves. The servant, with a sad countenance, replied, “Why, Father, do you offer me this bread? I cannot eat it. I, whom you see, was formerly the master of this place, and, after my death, I was sent back to the condition in which you see me for the expiation of my faults. If you wish to do me good, ah! Offer up for me the Bread of the Eucharist.” At these words he suddenly disappeared, and he, whom the priest had thought to be a man, showed by vanishing that he was but a spirit. For a whole week the good priest devoted himself to works of penance, and each day offered up the Sacred Host in favor of the departed one; then, having returned to the same baths, he no longer found his faithful servant, and concluded that he had been delivered. It seems that Divine Justice sometimes condemns souls to undergo their punishment in the same place where they have committed their sins.

Bible in a Year Day 119 David’s Wisdom

In the last chapters of 1 Samuel, Fr. Mike focuses on David's wisdom in battle through his prayer and ability to unite the people of Israel. He also touches on Psalm 18 and how wonderful things can happen once we allow ourselves to be loved by God. Today's readings are 1 Samuel 29-31 and Psalm 18.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: End to Abortion

· Tonight, would be a good night to renew your baptismal vows

· Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary