November can often feel like a dull, quiet month. It’s that stretch of gray days after Halloween and before Christmas. But if we pause and look closer, we’ll find that November is filled with meaning and opportunities to celebrate, pray, and give thanks.
There are four special days in this month that speak deeply to our faith: All Saints Day, All Souls Day, the Feast of Christ the King, and Thanksgiving.
All Saints Day and All Souls Day occur one after the other. Together, they remind us that we are one family in God. On All Saints Day, we honor those who have gone before us in holiness – men and women like St. Francis, St. Clare, and St. Anthony – whose lives show us what it means to follow Christ with humility. They remind us that sanctity is not out of reach, but something we can live in our everyday lives.
The next day, we celebrate All Souls Day, remembering our loved ones who have passed on from this life in faith. One of the great beauties of our Catholic faith is that we can continue to pray for them, just as we hope others will one day pray for us. Love remains the bridge between Heaven and earth, between the living and the dead. As the Book of Wisdom elegantly tells us, “The souls of the just are in the hands of God, and no torment shall touch them.”
Later in the month, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. When we hear the word “king,” we might picture crowns, armies, and castles – like the romantic tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table. But Christ’s Kingship is completely different. He does not rule with power, but with love, mercy, and service. His throne is the cross and His Kingdom grows not by force, but by faithfulness, forgiveness, and compassion.
Finally, we end the month with Thanksgiving. It’s a day that reminds us that our nation’s story began with faith and gratitude. The first settlers saw God’s hand guiding and providing for them, and we’re invited to see the same in our own lives. Gratitude truly matters to God. In Luke’s Gospel, ten lepers are healed by Jesus, but only one returns to say, “thank you.” It’s a simple story with a powerful message: giving thanks isn’t just good manners, it’s an act of love and worship.
So perhaps November isn’t a dull month after all. It is a season of reflection, remembrance, and renewal; a time to pause and see God’s hand at work in every moment. In these weeks, we honor the saints who inspire us, pray for the souls who have entered into eternal life, acknowledge Christ as our King, and give thanks for the blessings we receive, both great and small.
When we live November in this spirit, it no longer feels like the quiet space between holidays, but a month overflowing with God’s grace. November is a gentle reminder that gratitude, hope, and love are meant to guide us every day of the year.