Many students, faculty, and community members gathered last Sunday November 2 in order to commemorate the loss of their loved ones on All Souls’ Day.

The usual Sunday night liturgy was enhanced with the Anselmians for Light Ceremony, in which the students processed around the Abbey Church in the dark, with the only light coming from the lit bags lined around the perimeter.

These bags were created by students throughout the week prior to the ceremony.

There were tables in Davison and in front of Campus Ministry where students were invited to decorate a paper bag with the name of someone who passed away.

These bags were indeed inspired by the luminaria bags that are used during Relay for Life.

Abbot Matthew Leavy, O.S.B., who was the creator of this event, was in awe as he attended the Relay last year.

He said about the luminaria ceremony, “When I saw 800 Saint Anselm students walking around and praying in the dark… I was very edified.”

He then equated that ceremony with the tradition of walking to the cemetery with candles on All Souls’ Day, something that was prominent in Catholicism until recently.

That is when the idea came to him that the Saint Anselm community should update this tradition and began to plan the Anselmians for Light ceremony.

Abbot Matthew said that the planning itself was gratifying, as it was “A lived example of solidarity. Many organizations came together…and it came off well.”

He noted that the other people in the Campus Ministry office, Sean Casey ’15, Jimmy Leonard ’15, Brian O’Connor ’16 and the Knights of Columbus and Amy Clancy ’16 and the Daughters of Isabella were especially helpful in the very successful execution of the event.

There were around 600 bags made by students, faculty, and staff, but the number of bags alone does not suffice to show the impact that this event had on the community.

Abbot Matthew explained that the ceremony was “an image of what the church is meant to be about – to come together and worship.”

Students who attended felt the same way, as Talia Jalette ’16 said that it was one of the most powerful masses she had ever attended.

Another student responded to the service saying that it was “A powerful night individually and with the Saint Anselm community to receive Jesus in the presence of those who have gone before us.”

Overwhelmingly, other Anselmian students expressed the same sentiments in the days following on social media and in conversation as the effect of the ceremony continued throughout the week.

In the homily, Abbot Matthew explained the importance of All Souls’ Day as such: “For us who believe in Christ, the people who we loved who have died are not far from us, but are present in the Communion of Saints. It helps us to live…with the idea of death when we have a strong basis in our faith.”

If anyone has any suggestions or comments about the Anselmians for Light Ceremony, they are encouraged to email Abbot Matthew at [email protected] or contact the Campus Ministry Office.