Tura, Nov 2: Catholics in Garo Hills fondly remembered their departed loved ones on All Souls Day with special prayers and services marked with placing of floral wreaths and lighting of candles on the graves of their loved ones in the cemeteries on Saturday.
All Souls’ Day, also called The Commemoration of all the faithful departed, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed, observed by christians on November 2. Through prayer, intercessions, alms and visits to cemeteries, people commemorate the poor souls in purgatory and give the departed their favourite imdulgences.
Auxiliary Bishop of Tura C J Jose led the faithful in prayer at the oldest catholic cemetery in Tura, next to Bishop House, where he called upon the faithful to follow the Christian faith by stepping forward to help the needy.
“As Christians we follow the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ who taught us to do good for mankind. There are many ways we can be a good christian. Helping the poor, educating children, providing a roof for a needy family, and creating a scholarship to help vulnerable children are some of the ways to give a helping hand as Christians,” suggested Bishop Jose.
Bishop Jose also reminded the devotees about the significance of All Souls Day and how it first came into being observed to remember the departed souls.
Similar services were held at Catholic Cemeteries in Williamnagar, Baghmara, and other parts of Garo Hills.
Elsewhere, many Christian devotees from different denominations also honoured their departed family members by placing wreaths and lighting candles on the graves on the occasion of All Souls Day.
