November begins with a strong reminder that we are Christians together, never isolated individuals. We celebrate our family ties, through Jesus Christ, with all the brothers and sisters who have lived the Christ-life in our world and now enjoy seeing Him face to face. Some are "famous" in our family. But today we remember and pray for all the "unknown" ones who have died before us. Some have been our own friends and blood-relatives, whose deaths have personally affected us with perhaps sadness, shock, grief or the sense of human loss. We know they are in the hands of our loving God who will be their King forever (Wisdom 3), the Father whose will it is that those who believe in His Son Jesus may have eternal life (John 6). In a hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5), we await the reconciliation that Christ's death has brought us.

We are reminded, too, to keep in our prayers all who have died, whose faith is known only to God, people who perhaps have left behind them no one near or dear who will remember and pray for them. Whether it is in grief or maybe the sense of loneliness which can affect any of us, sometimes, let's always remember we are never alone. Others too have been interceding for us and will be praying for us on our way. The Communion of all the saints, in their glory, in their being purified, in their struggling life on earth gives praise to God and unites us together in the joy of Christ.