Solemnity November 2Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

All Souls' Day

A day to pray for everyone who has died, entrusting them to the mercy of God.

William-Adolphe Bouguereau, The Day of the Dead (Le Jour des morts), 1859 · Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux (public domain)

Who was All Souls' Day?

On All Souls' Day the Church prays for all the faithful departed, especially the souls in purgatory. The custom of a special day of prayer for the dead was spread by the Benedictine monks of Cluny in the 11th century. All Souls' Day is not a holy day of obligation, but priests may celebrate three Masses.

Feast day and traditions

November is traditionally the "month of the Holy Souls". Many US parishes keep a Book of the Deceased near the altar all month, where families write the names of loved ones to be remembered at Mass. Visiting and praying at a cemetery from November 1 to 8 carries a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory. In the Southwest, Mexican-American families build Día de los Muertos altars with photos, marigolds and candles.

Prayer

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Novena

To pray a novena that ends on the eve of the feast, begin on October 24 and finish on November 1.

Mass readings

Read the Mass readings for November 2 from the US bishops (USCCB).

Open readings →

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