On this episode from the Everyday Monks, the clergy of St. Benedict’s Anglican Church (REC) sit down with pipes lit, prayer books open, and hearts turned toward eternity.

Canon Michael Vinson (Rector of St. Benedict’s) is joined by Dcn. Timothy Wilson, Fr. Michael Templin, and Fr. Marq Toombs for a wide-ranging, joyful, and surprisingly comforting conversation about All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and what it really means to belong to “the communion of saints.”

In this episode:

Is Halloween really “the devil’s holiday”?We trace Halloween back to its real roots — All Hallows’ Eve — the vigil before All Saints. You’ll hear why Christians once mocked death in the streets, not celebrated it.

Ghosts, graves, and the “thin veil”Why the Church has always prayed in the presence of the departed, and why that isn’t weird, pagan, or superstitious — it’s Christian hope.

Revelation 7 and the BeatitudesWe open the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and walk through the readings for All Saints:– The white-robed multitude before the throne in Revelation 7– Jesus on the mountain in Matthew 5– How the Beatitudes describe the path that leads to that vision — and why sainthood actually hurts.

Death, grief, and real comfortWhat does it mean that God will “wipe away all tears from their eyes”?How do we keep living when someone we love has died?And why do Anglicans say we’re still in communion with them?

Holy Communion and the saintsThe guys talk about how, in the Eucharist, heaven and earth are brought together — the Church militant and the Church triumphant worshipping one Lord, one Lamb, one Table.

Practical All Saints spirituality– Visiting graves and praying during All Hallows’ tide– Reading the parish necrology– Teaching your people that the dead in Christ are not “gone,” they are alive in Him.

Also in this episode:

Pipe Talk ReturnsDeacon Timothy breaks down Haunted Bookshop (Cornell & Diehl) — Burley, Virginia, Perique, hauntings optional — and why pipe tobacco and theology just seem to go together around here.

New Music DebutWe celebrate the debut single from Fr. Michael Templin & The Lone Star Sound:“The Clearest Mornings Are the Coldest.”Yes, members of the parish (including Canon Vinson on bass and producer Dustin on pedal steel) are literally playing on the track. You’ll hear it at the end of the episode.

Why you should listen:

Because this isn’t theory. This is pastoral.It’s grieving parents at the altar.It’s a widow at the rail.It’s a church that refuses to believe that death gets the last word.

Join in the conversation.

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