All Saints' Day offers a new perspective on death, emphasizing life's purpose and the dangers of despair in a modern world.
All Saints' Day and death
Father Benoist de Sinety, the parish priest of Lille, says All Saints' Day offers a new way to think about death. He believes people should not be silent when facing death, but instead find meaning in life.The tragedy of human lives
Father de Sinety notes that people often form opinions about things they don’t feel or understand. He argues that reason, while important, is not always based on experience and can still have value even without certainty.The melancholy of modern life
He describes a growing sense of distress among many people today, who struggle to find meaning or direction. November 2nd, All Souls’ Day, brings a heavy, sorrowful feeling that can lead to deep sadness, even depression.A deadly disease of the mind
Father de Sinety refers to the ancient Greek concept of "black bile," which describes a severe mental pain with a high risk of suicide. He links this to a loss of self-worth and a slowing of mental and physical activity, which he sees reflected in society today.A new perspective on death
He suggests that All Saints’ Day, on November 1st, offers a different view of death. It is a day that reminds people that life can be returned to those who have lost it, through a power greater than themselves.The dangers of misplaced belief
Father de Sinety warns that placing too much trust in wealth or false power can lead to a slow-down in life and a hatred of others and oneself. He believes this is a result of not believing in a higher truth or promise.Jesus’ warnings in the Gospels
He points out that Jesus often spoke about the dangers of wealth and pride in the Gospels, but rarely mentioned sexuality or emotional life. He suggests the Church sometimes focuses more on these topics than on the moral dangers Jesus emphasized.The silence of the baptized
Father de Sinety says many baptized people are silent because they lack belief in a higher truth or promise. This silence, he argues, can lead to fear and anxiety about life’s emptiness, which no one can combat alone.
