CAFOD supporters remember loved ones this November

Gilly's Candlelight Fund

As the month of All Souls approaches, CAFOD supporters share ways that they will be remembering their loved ones this November.

Light a candle in memory of a loved one

David and his parents Rod and Josie, have a Candlelight Fund for his twin sister Gilly, who was only 20 when she died. "The Candlelight fund for Gilly is such an incredible thing, allowing us to remember Gilly in such a personal and special way, with her name continuing to do so much good in the parts of the world where it's needed most. My mum loves lighting candles for family so to be able to do this on Gilly's Candlelight Fund, is very special indeed.

Lighting virtual candles are a new feature on our Candlelight Funds. If you would like to find out more about setting up a Candlelight Fund, you can do so here

Marking this month of remembrance

Every year the Church gives us time and space to remember our loved ones and on the Feast of All Souls, we join with people around the world to pray and reflect.

On Monday 3 November, CAFOD supporters will be joining the congregation at St Barnabas Cathedral in Nottingham for the 1pm Mass when our Book of Remembrance will be blessed.

You can join us online here as the Mass will be livestreamed.

The recording will also be available to watch afterwards.

You can also find our prayers for those who have died, for comfort for the grieving and for the continued hope of our joyful, heavenly reunion here.

Sharing moments and memories

Maggie from our Remembrance Team tells us of a special place where she remembers her daughter Anna:

"Since 2018 I have taken part in the CAFOD pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland. Supporters gather to walk the ancient pilgrim route over the sands. That first year, on 1 September, my daughter Anna travelled down from Edinburgh to join me. Sadly, the next time I saw her she was in hospital, and she died on 2 November. Each year since then I keep petals from rose bushes and orchids that people bought me after she died and I scatter them as I walk across. I invite other pilgrims to take a handful too, to scatter in memory of someone they have lost. It has now become a part of the annual pilgrimage and in a small way, unites us in our memories and our grief."

These are just some ways we can remember our loved ones this month.

If you would like to donate to CAFOD in memory of your loved ones you can do so here.

Also, did you know that you can choose to leave a donation in memory of a loved one in your Will?

It is very simple to do, please get in touch with my colleague Lily Bliss, and she can give you the suggested wording. If you would like to write or update your Will for free, we have a free Will offer which Lily would be delighted to tell you more about. You can contact Lily on 020 7095 5367 or legacy@cafod.org.uk