Keeping All Souls Day at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary is marked by a special liturgical intensity. The day begins with a Sung Requiem Mass finishing with absolution over the catafalque. Then follows two Low Requiem Masses. All Souls Day is one of the two days throughout the liturgical year, the other being Christmas, on which a priest may have the privilege of celebrating three Masses.
At noon, the Seminarians take a very short walk to the Seminary’s own cemetery on the grounds, where they pray the hour of Sext from the Office of the Dead. Two Fraternity priests are currently buried in the cemetery: Fr. Kenneth Walker and Fr. Nicholas Zolnerowicz. This tradition is not only in keeping with the focus of this day but also serves as a poignant reminder to all of us of the fleetingness of this life and that our destiny lies in eternity.
Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine: et lux perpétua lúceat eis.
Requiéscant in pace. Amen.
