This week has been relative uneventful, what with the bank holiday, the school’s having this week off, and the Opera Festival coming to a close. We’ve taken the week to regroup, rest, enjoy the music in the pubs, and plan out the rest of the year. However, there was one event that happened on Friday evening, and it really left an impression on me.
On November 2nd, All Souls’ Day, the parish community gathered inside the main church for a remembrance service. The lights were kept low, with the Paschal Candle burning in the midst of a sacred space in front of the altar. It was a time for the parish to remember its members that had died in the past year, as well as a time for family members who were still grieving to remember their lost loved ones. After a series of reflective music, readings, and reflections, two members of the parish stood to read out the members of the parish who had passed away, organized by month. As they did so, a member of the deceased’s family would stand, come to the paschal candle, and light a smaller one, setting it on the table in the center of the sacred space. By the end of the naming, more than fifty people had been named, and many tears were shed. The night ended with a communion service and blessing, followed by the members of the approaching each other in conversation and consolation.
What struck me the most about Friday night was the intimacy that was felt within the main Church. Every seat was filled within the Church, families gathered together to remember their dead and friends gathered together to remember their lost companion. I saw people crying openly, and persons moving from one side of the Church to the other to give comfort. Though for the most part the people did not have words to say, they did not have to; their faces, their tears, and even the Church itself told of their attention, their participation, and the genuineness of their prayers. For that service I was allowed in to see their grief, to minister to them through song, and through the grace of God be a small part of something that hopefully gives them peace.
The candles themselves were something I focused on throughout the service. It all started with one light, the paschal candle, symbol for the light to the nations, Jesus. As each member of the dead was mentioned, the light spread to another candle, though smaller, and the light grew. By the end of the naming of all those who had gone before us, the entire Church was lit by the candles. The light of the paschal candle had spread to all that had come into contact with it. The light of Christ does the same. On the feast of All Saints we celebrate all those who have already been lit and shine alongside Christ. On the feast of All Souls, we celebrate all those who are in the process of being lit.
(Translation:) May angels lead you to paradise;
upon your arrival, may the martyrs receive you
and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem.
May the ranks of angels receive you,
and with Lazarus, once a poor man,
may you have eternal rest.
