Rev David Warner column: All Saints and All Souls

In his latest column for us, the Vicar of Mossley, Reverend David Warner, explains all about a special forthcoming celebration for the church.

At the beginning of November the Church celebrates All Saints and All Souls - we celebrate the saints who have been part of the story of Christianity on 1st November, and on 2nd with All Souls’ day we remember ALL the people who have ever been. 

All Saints’ Day is about the famous people, the ones we think of in stained glass windows and after whom churches, schools and even towns and cities are named: St George, patron of England being one. 

On this day we also give thanks for the historic parish of All Saints Micklehurst and the school there: the school and the area now wonderfully and vibrantly part of the parish I care for.

On All Souls’ day we remember those whom we have loved and lost, as well as those we did not know and those who thought that no-one cared for them.

Before the day we collect lists of names to be read out: the list contains the names of those whose funerals we have taken in the past year.

It’s always a sobering and emotional service and this year will be even more so: the pandemic has led to so much loss of life, and also the loss of the proper means of marking the deaths of so many.

Saints were sinners in their time - we all have the capacity to be both. 

Saints don’t live in stained glass windows and sinners aren’t just other people. 

We all know those who have been, and continue to be saints to us, and we should celebrate them constantly. 

Saints aren’t just from the stories of long ago: they, like those we love and miss so much, were real people, living real lives, with real loves and challenges. 

Saints and sinners: all are remembered, all are loved, all are part of our story.

Main image:

All Souls’ Day: Painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau.