Bishop Robert Brennan, head of the Diocese of Brooklyn, led All Souls Day Mass on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Flushing, drawing a congregation of 450 to honor their deceased loved ones. The event, organized by the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Catholic Cemeteries office, brought together members of the community in prayerful remembrance.
All Souls Day, observed annually on November 2, is a solemn day in the Catholic Church dedicated to praying for the souls of the faithful departed. Traditionally following All Saints Day, it serves as a reminder of the connection between the living and the deceased, reinforcing the belief in eternal life and the power of prayer to aid those who have passed. For many Catholics, it is an opportunity to visit cemeteries, attend Masses, and remember loved ones with hope and reverence.
“If we didn’t believe that we were going to live forever, it would be useless to pray for those who died. But we do believe,” said Bishop Brennan in his Homily, emphasizing the importance of hope as a foundation of faith. “The third virtue, hope, is based on the certainty that we will live forever. We believe that our loved ones who have died are living the fullness of life with God and that we shall see one another again. We know from the source because God Himself came to tell us. Our hope is exactly what God desires—it is the God who created us that desires earnestly that we will be with Him forever.”
The Mass concluded with Bishop Brennan blessing and dedicating the new Mary, Our Lady of Peace Mausoleum, a significant addition to the cemetery grounds.
Mount St. Mary Cemetery, located at 172-00 Booth Memorial Ave., has been a place of remembrance since its establishment in 1862 during the Civil War. Bishop John Loughlin consecrated the original six acres of cemetery land on July 12, 1863. Today, the cemetery remains a cherished resting place for the Catholic community in Queens.
Additional All Souls Day Masses took place across Brooklyn and Queens at St. John Cemetery in Middle Village, St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries in Farmingdale, and Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.
