Honoring All Those That Have Entered Eternal Life Enrollment in “The Book of the Dead” at St. Brigid Parish
The Book of the Dead was inspired by the ancient practice of recording the deaths of loved ones in a public record or registry. This practice provides loved ones with an opportunity for healing and consolation in the face of grief.
Losing a loved one is never easy. We grieve their simple presence, the absence of their voice, laughter, and love. Catholic churches have the custom of remembering our loved ones and giving a place of honor to a book in which our church community and visitors can print the names of their beloved dead. The Book of the Dead has the names of ALL those family members and friends that have gone before us.
The Book of the Dead will be displayed at Our Lady of Humility and St. Patrick Church starting the weekend of October 11/12 through the month of October. In lifting their souls, we also lift our hearts to God’s mercy, trusting in His promise of eternal life.
We invite you to print the names of your deceased loved ones so that they may be included in our solemn Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) liturgy on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the 6:00pm candlelight Mass at St. Patrick Church. Afterwards the book will be placed in the Sanctuary through Sunday, November 23, the Feast of Christ the King, to pray for our departed loved ones from our family, our community and beyond.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26) Remembering all of these men, women and children who have gone before us, “marked with the sign of faith,” helps us to heal and better understand our faith in the Christ our Risen Lord who conquers sin and death and brings new life to all.
COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
(ALL SOULS) CANDLELIGHT MASS OF REMEMBRANCE
On Saturday, November 1, 2025, we will celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Liturgy) with a Candlelight Mass of Remembrance at 6:00 PM at St. Patrick’s Church, Wadsworth, IL.
The liturgy commemorates all the faithful departed, and during this Mass we will honor your loved one, and other parishioners and friends who have entered eternal life. For those who have had a funeral service in the past year from St. Brigid Parish at Our Lady of Humility or St. Patrick Church we will say the name of your loved one and a candle will be lit in their memory. Additionally, all attending will be invited to come forward with a candle and light a candle during Mass. After Mass you can take home the candle in memory of your loved one. Everyone is welcome to attend as we celebrate and prayerfully remember those who have gone before us. After Mass there will be time for fellowship in the Narthex.
We hope to see all of you to support and pray for those from our parish family who have died as well as those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”