November 4, 2026

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

All Saints Day – All Souls Day. It is November. The month of November is dedicated in a special way for prayers to remember our deceased loved ones. This month reminds us to stay close to those who have been an important part of our lives and have now gone to the Lord. All Souls Day is a powerfully important remembrance as we take the time to remember our loved ones who have died.

It is good for us to continue a good relationship with those who have gone to the Lord before us. I have been blessed with many close friends, many now with the Lord. I must tell you that they still inspire by their advice.
At the same time, we honor in a special way the many saints of our Catholic Church. Our Catholic Church carefully canonizes outstanding individuals as our saints.

The saints have an important place in our Catholic spirituality. They continue to teach us by their writings; they show us the way to lead us to holiness.

Today, let me mention a few of my favorite saints. I have devotion to St. Pope John XXIII. He was the pope who called the Second Vatican Council. I am grateful to Pope John XXIII. This council transformed my life as a priest. I want to tell you

I also have a great devotion to St. Francis of Assisi. I have had the gift of spending extensive visits to Assisi – a very sacred Place, a place to spend time with St. Francis. St. Francis’ message of forgiveness and peace has been important to me. I try to speak of it often.

And then, this past summer, I discovered St. Augustine through my reading and study, especially in St. Augustine’s story of his own spiritual journey in his book, “Confession,” I found help in understanding my own spiritual journey. I remember also St. Bernard of Clairvaux,who touched my life way back when I was in high school.

Each year on All Saints Day, I continue to remember several important people who have helped me profoundly, although they are not canonized saints. I sort of think of them as my saints.

Let me mention here, my friend, Catherine Doherty. She was the one who founded the community of Madonna House. As a young priest, I found peace and a powerful relationship with God as I spent time at their center house in Combermere, Ontario. Catherine and the many members of Madonna House had a profound influence on my life. I believe in faith that they are all saints.

I have also been influenced a great deal by Thomas Merton; he is one of my saints, although not canonized. His writings touched my life in a special way even as a high school student, even as I was thinking of a vocation.

In many ways, I was helped and guided by many family and friends who I have realized are truly saints. I think of my parents and other family members. I think of many priests, my friends and guides, however, truly saints. I also think of many lay people, members of parishes where I was assigned as pastor – various parishes in our diocese. They helped me with many parish activities. I must tell you they are truly saints. I thank God for placing them in my life.

So, now, each time I go to God in prayer, I know there are many saints gathered with me, standing with me, challenging me, truly choosing me in love.