A number of children dressed as their favorite saints were among those attending the 10 a.m. All Saints Day Mass in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Special attention was drawn to the relics of St. Christina, an early Church martyr. The relics were a gift to the diocese a century ago from Pope Pius XI to Bishop Joseph Schrembs. Normally, the relics are located in the cathedral’s Resurrection Chapel, where many of the previous diocesan bishops were laid to rest – including Bishop (later elevated to archbishop) Schrembs.
(See photo gallery above.)
Father Damian Ference, vicar for evangelization and cathedral parochial vicar, said the relics were carefully moved to a place of honor in front of the altar for the weekend liturgies. The faithful were invited to pray before the relics and venerate them after Mass.
Principal celebrant for the All Saints Day liturgy was Bishop Edward Malesic. Concelebrants included Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, Father Ference, Father Don Oleksiak, vicar general, and Father Joe Mamich, cathedral pastor. Deacon Matt Lawler assisted.
“You’re here because you want to be,” Father Ference said in his homily, noting the feast was not a holy day of obligation this year since it fell on a Saturday.
“Saints are friends with God, best friends with Jesus. When we see saints, we see people who have conformed themselves with Jesus,” he said. Father Ference also noted that the paschal mystery, which is celebrated at Mass, is joyful, while life may not always mimic that. Sometimes life is hard or sad. But there is always the hope for salvation and eternal life.
“And Jesus is with us always, through all the pain, sad times and hard times ... He went through pain and suffering, and he will take us out on the other side, just like he emerged on Easter Sunday,” Father Ference said.
He also stressed the importance of community, explaining that we can make friends online, but we need personal interaction – a community. “Jesus took on flesh and lived among the people. He ate with them, walked with them and lived with them.”
Although not much is known about the life of St. Christina, she was true to her faith and died for it. He said her sacrifice reflects our belief in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, as we profess at Mass. “Don’t keep this to yourself. The saints didn’t. They shared the good news,” Father Ference said.
“We are all called to be saints, just like Christina and all the other saints. Share the good news with the world.”
After Mass, the congregation was invited to take a white carnation and place it in one of the vases near the relics as they venerated St. Christina and offered prayers.
A reception followed in the cathedral courtyard.
Click here to learn more about the relics o