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With November, we enter the season of last things. Those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere are watching the last leaf fall, the last bird fly south for the winter. It is a month that is a special time to reflect on what spiritual writers have traditionally called “the four last things”—death and judgment, heaven and hell.
November opens with All Saints Day, which invites us to fix our eyes on heaven and live in a way that leads to eternal joy. All Souls Day, on November 2, is when we remember all those who have died in Christ; the Church encourages us to offer them the support of our prayers throughout this month.
With all its reminders that we and those we love are mortal, November can be a disconcerting time. It’s uncomfortable to think about death, especially our own death. But among the victorious saints we celebrate on November 1, there is a fatherly figure who can help us prepare for and make a peaceful transition from this earthly life. This is St. Joseph, special patron of the dying.
The Happy Death. The reason why Joseph is qualified to play this role is movingly…
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