The Catholic faithful gathered in their numbers at the Holy Family Arena of the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, on this evening for the All Souls’ Day Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus V. C. Onaga. The solemn liturgy, which began at 5 p.m., was offered in remembrance of all the faithful departed.
In his opening remarks, Bishop Onaga stated, “We have gathered this evening to commemorate the faithful departed. We have come to pray for our brothers and sisters long dead, whose final destination we are not very sure of.” He explained that the Church dedicates the month of November to prayers for the dead, particularly those undergoing purification in purgatory.
The First Reading, taken from the Second Book of Maccabees, recalled how Judas Maccabeus offered sacrifices for the dead as atonement for their sins—an act rooted in his faith in the resurrection.The Second Reading, from the Second Letter of St. Peter, reminded the faithful that “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years,” emphasizing that God’s delay in fulfilling His promise is a merciful opportunity for repentance. The Gospel Reading, from St. John, recounted Jesus’ comforting words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled… I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
The homily, delivered by Fr. Anthony Udeh, centered on the theme “Remember us, we who have gone before you, in prayer.” He reminded the congregation that prayer for the dead is an act of mercy and faith. “All religions believe in the immortality of the soul,” he noted, “and since souls do not die, they must go either to heaven, purgatory, or hell. The Church on earth—the Militant Church—prays in communion with the Triumphant Church for the Suffering Church, those in purgatory.”
Fr. Udeh urged the faithful to pray fervently for departed souls throughout the month of November, adding that as they pray for the dead, they also obtain mercy for themselves.
The Prayer of the Faithful followed, with intercessions offered for deceased relatives, benefactors, and all souls in purgatory. Members of the Purgatorian Society later came forward in thanksgiving for the feast of All Souls. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, thousands of worshippers received Holy Communion while the Bigard Seminary Choir rendered the hymn “It Is Well” in a moving and solemn tone.
At the end of Mass, the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Wilfred Agubuchie, expressed gratitude to Bishop Onaga for presiding and thanked the Rector of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Rev. Fr. Albert Ikpenwa, his predecessor Very Rev. Fr. Ukoro Theophilus Igwe, the Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Ozonwafor, the deans, priests, religious, and all present.
He announced that the Diocesan Synod would begin on November 16 with an inaugural Mass at 11 a.m. and conclude on November 22 with the ordination of new priests. He also reminded the faithful of the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 23, encouraging full participation.
The celebration ended with the bishop’s final blessing and words of exhortation, as he once again urged the faithful to continually remember and pray for their departed brothers and sisters.
Prior to this evening mass in commemoration of All the faithful departed, the bishop had also celebrated 10 am mass in the cathedral church of Holy Ghost.
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