November: The month when the red and golden hues of autumn turn to brown, daylight dwindles, temperatures drop and the skies are often cloudy. Nature seems to be saying, “Slow down and reflect on all that is truly important.” In the liturgical year, November begins with the celebrating of the saints in heaven and then focuses on remembering the dead and offering aid to the souls in purgatory. The Church gives us the whole month, to pray for the holy souls in Purgatory. At the end of November, in hope, we honour and worship our Lord and Saviour, Christ the King. On All Saints Day we look to those in heaven as “the principle witnesses to Christ and to the saving power of his Death and Resurrection.” (Ordo 25-26, p.258). On this day we honour canonized saints and martyrs of the Church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven. We recognize not only those who have been formally canonized, but all who lived their lives with heroic virtue. We can read about them or honor the memory of someone in our lives who was exceptionally holy. November 2 is a solemn day of prayer for all the faithful departed. While this date is the official feast day for them, we are encouraged to pray for them throughout the entire month. We may offer Masses for the souls in purgatory, pray the prayer of St. Gertrude, the Holy Souls Rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet, the “eternal Rest” prayer, or other prayers. We can offer up our sacrifices and almsgiving for their benefit. We can also visit a cemetery and pray for the souls buried there. The Solemnity of Christ the King focuses on the fact that Christ’s kingship is rooted in self-sacrifice, love, truth and mercy rather than domination or military force. The feast directs believers to look toward the end of history when Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. It affirms that Christ’s dominion extends over every aspect of human life, culture and society. This November, as the silence left behind in the wake of songbirds flown south, as the trees that stand bare, and as the air turns crisp, biting and thin, draw inward and reflect on that which is truly important. Look to the saints in heaven, take care of the faithful departed through prayer, sacrifice and almsgiving, and with reverence, worship our one true God, Christ the King.