All Saints Day - November 1

Probably by Fra Angelico The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs about 1423-4 Egg tempera on wood, 31.9 x 63.5 cm Bought, 1860 NG663.3 https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/NG663.3

remembering & celebrating the communion of saints

Scripture

  • Ecclesiasticus 44:1-14 or Rev. 7:9-17
  • Ps. 149
  • Rev. 7:9-17 or Eph. 1:(11-14)15-23 
  • Matt. 5:1-12 or Luke 6:20-26(27-36)

 

Collect

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical Body of your Son: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Art

About the Artist & Art

The Forerunners of Christ with Saints & Martyrs was completed by Fra Angelico, a Dominican friar and gifted artist, in the 1420’s. Painted in egg tempera on poplar wood, this remarkable painting is a part of a larger altarpiece of San Domenico, Fiesole in Italy, which was the home of his religious community. In this masterpiece, Fra Angelico, born Guido di Pietro, depicts a colorful vision of the court of heaven - the communion of saints join a host of biblical figures and martyrs in the heavenly space before the throne of God. The central panel shows Christ, resurrected and surrounded by angels. The Virgin Mary and saints are to the left and biblical figures and martyred saints are to the right. The two outermost panels show members of the Dominican ‘Blessed’, those who were venerated but had not yet been made saints. All eyes are fixed on the Risen Christ, the source and center of the holiness of all, who stand or kneel in praise, adoration and worship of their Lord. 

suggested hymn

For All the Saints

Read more here about why we use art, music & hymns in spiritual practices and specific ways to engage in the pieces.

liturgical color

White: Symbolizing the pure, shining robes of the saints

music

About The Music

‘O How Glorious’ by Healey Willan

Healay Willan  (1880-1968) was an English composer who was raised into a life in music through the Anglican choir school tradition. He later moved to Canada to teach composition in Toronto, and became one of the most influential liturgical composers of the first half of the 20th century. His music is noteworthy for its deep connection to the tradition, and for its simplicity and austere beauty. After several hundred years of church music which was often heavily influenced by opera and other “art music,” Willan’s deep love was for plainsong and Renaissance polyphony, traditions which make his music singable by amateur church choirs, but at the same time beautiful and memorable. In this brief motet for All Saints Day, which is an English translation of the Latin hymn  ‘O Quam Gloriosum,’ Willan clothes the text with a beautiful combination of polyphony (voices moving independently of one another) and homophony (voices moving together in unity, though on different pitches), perfectly symbolizing the unity and diversity of the members of the Body of Christ, which are itself a symbol of the unity and diversity of the Triune God.

O how glorious is the kingdom 

wherein all the saints rejoice in Christ; 

clothed in white robes 

they follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth.

Traditions

  • Remember loved ones who have passed away.
    • Visit and beautify their grave or light a candle at home in their honor. Gather your family to share stories, and offer up prayers of thanksgiving for their lives.
  • Make a special bread or sweet treat.
    • Christians all over the world have special  breads or sweets they make for All Saints’ Day. In Portugal, Pão-por-Deus (Bread for God); in Mexico, Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead); in France, Pain des Morts (Bread of the Dead). In Spain, they make a sweet called Huesos de Santo (Saint’s Bones). In Austria, Allerheiligenstriezel, a sweet braided bread. Try one of these traditional breads, or make your own.
  • Learn about a saint you are not familiar with.
    • Read a saint biography or the written letters or prayers of saints from church history. Consider Ignatius, Augustine, Teresa of Avila, Benedict, Catherine of Siena, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, St. Frances & St. Claire of Assisi, or other fathers and mothers of faith. Children may enjoy dressing up like a saint they know about and admire, or drawing their own picture of them.
  • Discussion/catechism ideas:
    • Set aside time to thank God for the work of those who were instrumental and formative in your life in Christ. Reflect on the brevity of life, and ask the Lord for wisdom on how to spend your days living as a saint in His kingdom (Ps. 90:12, Prov. 4:26).
    • Explore “The Communion of Saints” section in To Be a Christian, An Anglican Catechism, p. 51-52

Book Suggestions

Church Calendar Resources

  • Book of Common Prayer, 2019, ACNA
  • Church Calendar Living channel on Slack
  • Explore the All Saints Church Calendar section of our website
  • Sacred Seasons by Danielle Hitchen
  • www.ashleytumlinwallace.com
Learn More about the Church Calendar