A procession with the relics of our beloved saints on All Hallows’ Eve hits differently when you realize that, while the entire world is celebrating Halloween, Milwaukee’s Catholics have chosen a different way to mark this night.

St. Stanislaus Oratory had a different vision for this beautiful evening.

Hundreds of faithful gathered for a procession with the relics of the saints, led by Bishop Jeffrey S. Grob, from St. Stanislaus Oratory to the Basilica of St. Josaphat.

The streets were still wet, but the rain had stopped. We went for a walk with our friends in Heaven.

My heart was warmed to see how Milwaukee’s Catholics are responding to today’s culture by choosing to do what is right. But what warmed my heart even more was seeing so many children at Vespers and the procession, dressed as saints or as the Blessed Mother.

And to the parents who brought them: thank you!

In today’s world, we need two things:

Proper formation.

And more saints.

Formation begins in the family, and the family is the foundation of sainthood.

“The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family.”

These words were shared in a letter from Sister Lúcia to Cardinal Carlo Caffarra of Bologna.

But she also wrote:

“Don’t be afraid… because anyone who works for the sanctity of marriage and the family will always be fought and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue. However, Our Lady has already crushed its head.”

We are on the winning side, but let’s not stop fighting!

All you saints, pray for us!