All Saints (Totenfest)

In Hebrews 11, Paul writes about the meaning of faith in this way: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.” Paul then went on to recite the faith history of the people of Israel, going all the way back to Abel (son of Adam) and continuing through David and Samuel and the prophets. All these acted by faith.

Then he begins Hebrews 12 thusly: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Each year, on the first Sunday of November (this year, November 3) we celebrate that Great Cloud of Witnesses. On All Saints Day (also known locally as Totenfest), we remember especially those loved ones who died in the past year, and joined that Great Cloud of ancestors in the faith which stretches back to Abel. We read their names aloud, toll a bell in remembrance, and make other observances of the occasion as well.