Sunday November 1, 2026, ALL SAINTS (SOLEMNITY)
FIRST READING
I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues.
*A reading from the Book of Revelation (Revelation 7:2-4.9-14)*
I, John, saw another angel ascend from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand sealed, out of every tribe of the sons of Israel. After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.” Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where they have come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm
24:1-2.3-4ab.5-6(R.cf.6a)
R/. These are the people who seek your face, O Lord.
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world, and all who dwell in it.
It is he who set it on the seas;
on the rivers he made it firm. R/.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The clean of hands and pure of heart,
whose soul is not set on vain things. R/.
R/. These are the people who seek your face, O Lord.
Blessings from the Lord shall he receive,
and right reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the people who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. R/.
SECOND READING
We shall see God as he is.
*A reading from the first Letter of Saint John (1 John 3:1 -3)*
Beloved: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Matthew 11:28
Alleluia. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
*A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 5:1-12a)*
At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Creed (I Believe) CREED (LATIN)
Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisbilium: Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri: per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis. (here all bow) Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato: passus, et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria judicare vivos et mortuos; cujus regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem: qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per prophetas. Et Unam, Sanctam, Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum, Et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
God is praised when his saints are honoured. As we celebrate the triumph of all the saints, let us pray that, after our earthly lives, we may all be united around the table of the Lord in his heavenly banquet.
FOR THE PASTORS OF THE CHURCH: that the Pope, Bishops, and priests, following the example of the saints, may be faithful witnesses of God’s immense love and compassion in our world. We pray O Lord
FOR CIVIL AND TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES: that, inspired by the lives of the saints, they may fulfil their responsibilities in ways that are pleasing to God, enhance justice and peace, and promote the dignity of human persons. We pray O Lord
FOR THOSE FACING PERSECUTION ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR BELIEF IN CHRIST: that, through the intercession of the holy martyrs, they may remain steadfast in their Christian faith and remain resolute in preaching and bearing witness to the Gospel of Christ. We pray O Lord
FOR OURSELVES: that, aided by the prayers of the saints, we may seek holiness in our work, in our family, and in all the rest of our ordinary activities. We pray O Lord
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, Church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS; that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord
We pray in silence for our private intentions,
Celebrant:
Father of holiness and grace, we offer our prayers through the intercession of all your saints, trusting that you will hear and answer them. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen
TODAY'S REFLECTION
Today, we celebrate the Saints – The church Triumphant. They lived their earthly life in accordance with the Gospel principles and are rejoicing eternally with God in heaven. They did ordinary things in extraordinary manner. They were separated and marked with the seal of the living God. They constitute a “great multitude which no man can count from every nation, from all tribes and people and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed in white robes with palm branches”. They “have come out of great tribulations and have washed their robes making them white in the blood of the lamb”. Since God is pure, in order to see him we must, like the saints, have “clean hands and pure heart; not desire worthless things and not swear so as to deceive our neighbour.” The Saints are the ‘blessed’ that Jesus spoke about in the Beatitudes his sermon on the mount. Jesus, I trust in you.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. –Psalm 51: 7ff
- Ask God to clean and wash your spiritual attire with the Blood of the lamb.
Let Us Pray, Lord, I praise you for your salvation and the fellowship of your people. Show me who I can pray for and invite to know you. Amen.