I talk to dead people.

Why would I do a thing like that? Because they share my hope.

November 1st is All Saints' Day, when Catholics acknowledge, celebrate with, and honor all the canonized saints in the church.

Following right along on November 2nd is All Souls' Day. It is the day that we pray for all the departed souls who have gone before us; we hope and pray that they are with God in heaven.

The really nifty aspect of All Souls' Day, though, is how we carry it through the rest of the year. You see, Catholics do a thing (at least one) that others, even other Christians, find rather peculiar: We talk to the faithful departed. It is a part of our long, historical, and apostolic traditon and dogma of the Communion of the Saints.

Why would we do a thing like that? Other types of christians pray for each other, they pray to God, they pray to Jesus. What is it that makes Catholics different in this regard? Why do we talk to dead people?

Here's the shocking news: We know they aren't dead! Our departed brethren were joined to Jesus, the Church, and the Communion of Saints, when they were baptized. They were joined with us then, and nothing has changed, excepting their physical status. Christ saved and preserved them while they were here, Christ saves and preserves them after they have left here. They are still members of the Body of Christ, no less concerned for our needs and troubles, no less celebrating our victories, than when they were here.

Christ has triumphed over their sin and death; Christ has triumphed over ours as well. He is our hope; we share this hope with those who have preceded us.

So, Catholics talk to dead people. And you can, too.

~Bill