SUNDAY
OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND JUST
Liturgical Notes:
Sunday of the
Righteous and Just
Today
the Maronite Church celebrates the Sunday of
the Righteous and the Just. This is actually
the traditional Maronite feast in honor of
all the saints. Whereas the Latin Church
celebrates the feast of All Saints on
November 1st, the Maronite Church, following
its ancient tradition dedicates this Sunday
to their memory.
On this day we call
to mind all the men and women, children of
the Church, who have followed the path of
justice and righteousness. We remember the
prophets, apostles and martyrs, the hermits,
ascetics, men and women religious, as well
as all Christians who have lead holy lives.
As our liturgy so
often reminds us, they are just in the sight
of God because they have patterned their
lives on Jesus Christ, the Just One.
The saints are our
models; their prayers and fasting have
taught us to fight against the sin and
temptation and so gain the reward of
righteousness.
The saints are our
intercessors; by their prayers we obtain the
pardon of our sins and are strengthened in
the Christian virtues.
They were the salt
of the earth and light of the world, they
call us to follow their path. Through their
intercession may we one day merit eternal
life with God.
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