Schönborn: Commemorate All Saints' Day at the "Returned" Cemetery

Vienna's Archbishop calls for remembrance and compassion on All Saints' Day

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn invites the faithful to the "Returned" Cemetery for a special commemoration on All Saints' Day, November 1st.

In a statement, Schönborn highlighted the importance of remembering the deceased, especially those buried in the "Returned" Cemetery, which is the resting place for many who were forced to flee or were expelled from their homelands.

Schönborn encouraged the faithful to visit the cemetery and pray for the deceased, as well as to reflect on the suffering and loss experienced by so many throughout history.

"All Saints' Day is a time to remember those who have gone before us and to pray for their eternal rest," said Schönborn. "It is also a time to reflect on the fragility of life and the importance of compassion and solidarity, especially towards those who are suffering."

The "Returned" Cemetery is located in the Simmering district of Vienna and is the final resting place for over 5,000 people who were forced to flee or were expelled from their homelands during the Nazi era and the Second World War.

Among those buried in the cemetery are many prominent figures from Austrian history, including the writer Stefan Zweig, the composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Schönborn's call for remembrance and compassion on All Saints' Day is a reminder of the importance of honoring the past and working towards a more just and peaceful future.