All Saints’ Day

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… Hebrews 12:1

In the early centuries, the Church set aside days each year to remember those who had been martyred for their faith. Among them were Stephen, Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp.

Over time, a common feast emerged to honour all the saints—including those whose names were unknown. Hence, All Saints’ Day. Later, All Souls’ Day became a particular occasion to remember the faithful departed.

In our Church calendar, All Saints’ Day falls on 1 November, followed by All Souls’ Day on 2 November. While the two days have distinct emphases, both invite us to remember those who have gone before us, especially our loved ones.

For some of us who grew up in Asian households, particularly Chinese ones, death and the afterlife were often surrounded by fear. I recall how such observances felt to me as a boy. Candles would be planted in the ground and lit by the roadside at night, alongside plates of food offerings. We were told not to venture outside, as ghosts would be out and about. The flickering light cast dancing shadows in the darkness. Peeping through the window, we imagined we could see hungry ghosts.

The Christian faith offers a brighter perspective on the departed. Without denying the pain of grief, it gives us ten thousand reasons to sing and speak of the hope of eternal life. As we prepare to receive Holy Communion, we join our praise with that of “angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven.” In many parts of the world, churchyards hold the graves of generations of worshippers. In our own Cathedral, the names of the departed are inscribed on pews, floors and walls.

Lest we forget.

All Saints’ Day, like other special feasts in our calendar, brings one aspect of our faith into sharper focus. It is a day to remind us to remember. We remember those who have gone before us, and we reaffirm our hope in the gift of eternal life promised in Christ.

There is much spiritual value in this act of remembrance. Jesus asked his disciples to remember him. While his words carry profound spiritual significance, they also touch something deeply human. Each of us has a name and a story. We are not objects to be cast aside and forgotten. To remember someone is to honour the person and affirm the worth of a life.

We also remember that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. This guards us against the conceit that we are entirely self-made. We entered the world utterly dependent on others. Without our parents and those who cared for us, we would not have survived, let alone flourished. Our lives bear the imprint of their love, labour and sacrifice.

So on this day, I give thanks especially for my family members who have gone before me. I miss them, but I remember them with thanksgiving. It is a Christian privilege and blessing to hold together the sorrow of parting and the hope of reunion in Christ.