In November We Remember

Service to dedicate November to “Remembrance of the Dead and Prayer for the Bereaved 1st November 2020, 3pm St. Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh

Ní imithe uainn atá siad, ach imithe romhainn.
They are not gone from us, but gone before us.

November is a time for remembering and praying for our loved ones who have gone before us and whose loss we feel. It is a time when we are particularly conscious of those in our parishes who are grieving and all those families who have lost loved ones in the past year. More than most years, this November will be especially poignant as we remember all those who have died during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We mark this time of year in our parishes with events like the blessing of the graves, the celebration of remembrance services as well as commemorating All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. As a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions, it will not be possible for us to gather together for these annual events. 

‘We will reach out in November, a month we traditionally pray for our dead, to offer spiritual support to the bereaved’ – Bishops

On Sunday 1 November, the eve of All Souls’ Day, the bishops and priests of Ireland will lead a short service of prayer at 3.00pm to dedicate the month of November to ‘Remembrance of the Dead and Prayer for the Bereaved’.  Bishops invite the whole country to unite in this moment which will be followed by parish liturgies throughout the month of November, reaching out as much as possible to those who cannot be physically present.

For details of how to participate in this service of prayer online, please check in with your local parish. 

Click here to download the prayer service which bishops and priests will use on Sunday afternoon and other resources.