During the early days of November, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, reflected on the Catholic tradition of honoring both All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. In his message to the faithful, Cardinal Tobin emphasized what the Second Vatican Council described as “the universal call to holiness.” He stated that every person is made in God’s image and called to live a holy life, regardless of personal history.

Cardinal Tobin referenced the Catechism of the Catholic Church, noting that “the desire for God is written in the human heart” (#27), and explained that holiness signifies closeness to God. He discussed how saints—both those officially recognized by the Church and those not canonized—serve as examples through their daily actions and choices.

Highlighting recent canonizations, Cardinal Tobin said: “We witnessed this recently with the canonization of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint Carlo Acutis on September 7, 2025.” He continued by explaining that while many saints have been formally declared by the Church, countless others have lived lives marked by fidelity to God without such recognition. These individuals are also celebrated during All Saints’ Day on November 1.

Addressing challenges faced by believers in striving for holiness, Cardinal Tobin remarked: “All of us are called to holiness, to closeness to God, but unfortunately most of us find ourselves further away from God than we would like to be. That’s why Christ gives us the sacraments—especially the Eucharist and the sacrament of penance—to help us in our daily struggles on the way to holiness.”

He reminded readers about Christian beliefs regarding life after death and prayer for souls: “Our loving and merciful God never gives up on us. Even after we die, we Christians believe that it is still possible to atone for our sins, to grow in holiness and come closer to God. That’s why we pray for those who have died.” This forms part of why Catholics observe All Souls’ Day on November 2.

Cardinal Tobin pointed out that saints provide guidance through their example: “In our desire to be united with God, we look to the saints to show us the way. How do saints model for us the way to be close to God? Obviously, through the witness of their daily lives, the choices they make, their willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others, and their devotion to Christ.”

He also identified prayer as central in pursuing holiness: “The answer, I believe, is prayer—‘an exercise of desire’ as Saint Augustine describes it. Saints are men and women who know how to pray… Through their prayer...the holy men and women we call saints are in constant contact with God.”

Selections from Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical Spe Salvi were included in Cardinal Tobin’s message. Pope Benedict wrote: “Man was created for greatness—for God himself; he was created to be filled by God… To pray is not to step outside history...When we pray properly, we undergo a process of inner purification which opens us up to God and thus to our fellow human beings as well.”

A homily from Pope Leo XIV was also cited regarding two recently canonized young saints: “In this setting, today we look to Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own day, both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him.” The homily described how these figures demonstrated faith through simple acts like daily Mass attendance, charity work, prayer practices including Eucharistic Adoration and Confession.

The message concluded with prayers for All Saints’ Day (November 1) asking for sanctity among all believers through Christ; and another prayer for All Souls’ Day (November 2), seeking mercy upon departed souls.