Lansing Update:
A Final Note of Encouragement Before the Election
Posted November 1, 2024
A Catholic Approach to Voting: A Final Note of Encouragement Before the Election
With the election quickly approaching, Michigan Catholic Conference continues its voter education efforts to urge the faithful to vote with a conscience informed by the truths of Church teaching. To further advance this message, MCC has been sharing its election edition of Focus directly with Lansing Update readers. The following is the fourth and final installment.
It can be challenging to compare Catholic teaching—which was shared in last week’s installment, and which can also be found here—with the positions espoused by candidates for office.
Neither of the country’s two major political party platforms adhere to the full range of Catholic teaching.
Making these voting decisions is sometimes discouraging. But Catholics are called as disciples of Christ to be a light in the world and to guide others toward the righteous path.
While it is important to spend time researching the candidates and the issues, putting on the mind of Christ before voting also necessitates stepping away from the noise through the election cycle.
Does cable news political commentary or social media discourse help inform a Catholic perspective? Take time away from media and spend time with Holy Scripture and the Blessed Sacrament. Turn off the TV and the podcast and listen in silence. Pray often, letting faith inform political participation.
The Church and this Focus publication cannot and will not tell individuals which presidential or Michigan-based candidate they should vote for. Such decisions are to be made after forming one’s conscience based on the teachings of the Church and prayerful reflection of candidate positions.
It is up to all Catholics and people of goodwill to do the best they can to make wise judgments about the candidates and the issues.
If you have not already voted absentee or through in-person early voting, you can view your ballot ahead of time and find your polling place at the Michigan Voter Information Center (MVIC).
MVIC is also how you can find where to vote early in-person and to check your voter registration status. You may register to vote in-person up until the polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. For all that information and more, check out the MVIC website.
Celebrate Hallowtide: All Saints Today, All Souls Tomorrow
Amidst this busy election season, it’s important to remember two very significant dates on the Church liturgical calendar—All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
Today is All Saints Day, a celebration of all those souls who can say with St. Paul that they have “finished the race” and “kept the faith” and now enjoy heavenly glory with God.
It’s a celebration of men and women—both those formally recognized by the Church and those unknown — who lived virtuous, holy lives while on Earth, and it also serves as a reminder of the vast army of heavenly helpers we can call upon to pray for us to help us reach heaven too.
All Saints Day is preceded by All Hallow’s Eve, the vigil of the All Saints solemnity, which is also known as Halloween. Today is also a holy day obligation to attend Mass.
All holy men and women of God, pray for us!
Tomorrow is All Souls Day, when the Church commits to praying for those souls who have died but are not yet fully united to God. These souls must undergo purification before reaching heaven, and so it is our task—and a spiritual work of mercy — to pray for them, and particularly those of our family and friends.
The three days stretching from All Hallows Eve to All Souls Day, which are opportunities for each of us to reflect on the four last things (death, judgment, heaven, and hell), are also known as Hallowtide.
We can pray for the dead by offering Mass this day for them, or visiting a cemetery, or simply praying the customary prayer for the faithful departed:
May all the souls of the faithful departed, in the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
