Deceased family, friends and members of the SLU community were remembered Nov. 2 as the University celebrated a Memorial Mass for the Feast of All Souls at College Church.

While saints are honored on the Nov. 1 All Saints Day, All Souls Day is set aside in order to pray for those deceased but not canonized.

The mass included a homily by celebrant Garth Hallet, S.J., Dean of the College of Philosophy and Letters. He explained to the congregation that “science will never be able to separate us from God. He said that this power helps people remember the souls we observe on the feast day.

One SLU student who attends All Souls Day mass annually is freshman Catherine Harrison.

“I always go to All Souls’ Mass,” Harrison said. “It’s a way for me to remember those who have died. My uncle died last week which makes this year’s feast more important to me.”

Liturgy Coordinator Lisa Reiter organized another way for people to remember loved ones. On a Remembrance Card individuals were invited to make a list of the names of any friends or family members who have died and drop it in a glass bowl that was placed in front of the altar.

An issue of the Memorial Mass questioned by the student body was that classes were not canceled in order for more to attend.

“In the broad context, this mass is not really one that the University sees as a huge communal occasion that applies to a lot of students,” Reiter said. “Really, the only times that the University will cancel classes is for the Mass of the Holy Spirit and for snow days, which are few and far between.”

The music of the Memorial Mass was provided by the University Chorale, directed by Jeral Becker.

“The music was wonderful,” Harrison said. “It was nice to hear the traditional mass songs. It was so uplifting.”