Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
All Souls’ Day – C
November 2, 2025 8:30am
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton
Imagine – Around 1875
Try to imagine for just a minute that it is the year 1875, exactly 150 years ago.
It is rural America, out in the farm country of the Midwest. There are, of course, no cars.
People get around on horseback and horse-drawn wagons. In that setting, there lives a little boy named Tom.
And, by the way, this is a true story! Both of Tom’s parents die and he is left an orphan.
Fortunately, his Aunt Katherine takes him in and raises him. Then, years later, Tom receives a letter from his Aunt Katherine.
She has a terminal illness, and, from the tone of the letter, Tom knows that she is afraid of death. So, he writes a letter in response and here it is.
Letter from Tom
“Dear Aunt Katherine, thirty-five years ago, when I was six-years-old, I was left alone in the world. You sent me word that you would give me a home and be a mother to me.
“I’ve never forgotten the day when I made the long journey of ten miles to your house. I can still recall my disappointment when, instead of coming to me yourself, you sent your hired-hand Joseph to fetch me.
“I remember my tears and anxiety as, perched high on the horse and clinging tight to Joseph, I rode off to my new home. Night fell before we finished the journey and, as it grew dark, I became even more afraid.
“‘Do you think she’ll go to bed before I get there?’ I asked Joseph. ‘Oh, no,’ Joseph answered, ‘she’s sure to stay up. When we get out of these woods, you’ll see her light shining in the window.’
“We did ride out into the clearing and there was your light. I remember that you were waiting at the door; that you put your arms tight around me; that you lifted me – a tired, frightened, little boy – down from the horse.
“You had a fire burning on the hearth, a hot supper waiting on the stove. After supper you took me to my new room.
“You heard me say my prayers. Then you sat with me until I fell asleep.
“You very probably realize why I am now trying to recall this to your memory. Very soon, God is going to send for you and take you to a new home.
“I’m trying to tell you that you needn’t be afraid of the summons or of the strange journey. God can be trusted.
“God can be trusted to do as much for you as you did for me so many years ago. At the end of the road, you’ll find love and a welcome waiting for you.
“And you’ll be safe in God’s care. I’m going to watch and pray for you until you’re out of sight.
“And I shall wait for the day when I make the same journey myself and find you waiting at the end of the road to greet me.”
Our Faith
Tom’s letter to his Aunt Katherine is very warm and touching.
It shows a clear, strong, and trusting faith. It reflects so beautifully Jesus’ words in today’s gospel.
Jesus says: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me.”
Aunt Katherine gave her six-year-old nephew a new home and new life. We believe that God does the same thing for us.
Adult Tom reassured his aunt of this. God will be there waiting for us at the end of the road, welcoming us and giving us a new home and new life.
Action
With that in mind, on this All Souls’ Day, I ask us to do one thing.
Let’s remember each person who has been in our lives and has been called home to God. Let’s try to remember them by name today or sometime this week.
And let’s pray for them, as one of the Eucharistic Prayer says, that those who have passed on now see the light of God’s face. Let’s pray with trust in Jesus’ words today: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me.”
