\n\t\t\t\tFamily members stand at the graves of their loved ones during the All Saints\u2019 Day service at the Chalan Kanoa Cemetery. (Thomas Manglona II)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n
\nSaipan residents braved the rain the last couple of weeks to clean the graves of their loved ones in anticipation of the All Saints\u2019 Day and All Souls\u2019 Day Mass and rosary. Hundreds of Saipan residents filled the Chalan Kanoa Cemetery to pay their respects to the faithfully departed and honor saints last weekend as a part of the annual church tradition.<\/p>\nFr. Ryan Jimenez, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, said that more island parishioners attended the All Saints\u2019 Day Eucharistic celebration on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that goes to show the link between All Saints\u2019 and All Souls\u2019 Day,\u201d he told Saipan Tribune. \u201cAll of us are called to be saints. I think is it appropriate to celebrate how our loved ones try to emulate the good Lord\u2019s example in their lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe saints are sinners like us but their story did not end there, they changed their lifestyle and pursued a life after God,\u201d Jimenez added.<\/p>\n
Deacon James Balajadia led the community in the reading of the Gospel and sermon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe saints never gave up on their faithfulness and commitment to the Lord,\u201d he told parishioners in his remarks. \u201cWhile on earth they all sought to fulfill God\u2019s beautiful vision for their lives.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThe vision we must all seek like the saints,\u201d he said, \u201cis to be meek and humble of heart, to be peacemakers, to hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice, to show mercy and be clean of heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is real holiness. It is never giving up in our commitment to God and this interior project that He has for each one of us in our hearts,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Volunteer and member of the church\u2019s cemetery committee Doris Nuique expressed her gratitude to the JROTC cadets of Kagman High School and Saipan Southern High School, as well as the staff of the Saipan Mayor\u2019s Office for assisting in the cleanup efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me it is a good celebration. They all came in and helped and it is a great service to the Catholic community,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat better way to show your love than with the Eucharistic celebration?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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