All Saints Day with Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro Sambi

This weekend for the Solemnity of All Saints, I went with a few students to our National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. It was a special occasion for the feast, but also because our Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, celebrated mass. It was a beautiful liturgy with fantastic choral arrangements and organ music. Archbishop Sambi delivered an insightful and animated homily about our communion within the Communion of Saints. He reflected upon the many instances in the mass when we ask their intercession. Thus the priest prays, "God, by the merit of their prayers and intercession may we gain your constant help and protection".

I must say it is an incredible gift to have fabulous places like the National Shrine to take students to. We met at the Catholic Student Center in College Park and drove the 15 minutes down Michigan Avenue to the Shrine for a holy hour before mass (which also got us great seats!), and then some time afterward for fellowship.

And on this memorial of All Souls, may God protect all your loved ones who have died in Christ, may they by His Passion and Cross come to their reward in Heaven.