All Souls' Day
This Christian holiday, mainly celebrated by Catholics, broadly honors the dead.
This Christian holiday, mainly celebrated by Catholics, broadly honors the dead.
Origin
All Souls’ Day follows All Saints’ Day, which occurs on November 1. Both follow Halloween, which has history as both a pagan and Christian holiday. Unlike All Saints’ Day, which commemorates saints and martyrs, All Souls’ Day is a day to honor all the deceased faithful to Catholicism.
All Souls’ Day was first established by St. Odilo of Cluny, an influential 11th century abbot. The holiday was soon adopted by the entire Church.
In the Catholic tradition, the souls of the dead can go to one of three places: heaven, hell or purgatory. It is believed in the Catholic tradition that the prayers said on All Souls’ Day help souls trapped in purgatory to move to heaven. Protestant denominations do not have purgatory as part of their theology.
Anglicans celebrate All Souls’ Day to honor the ordinary faithful who have died. Anglicans, broadly, do not believe in purgatory.
Traditions
All Souls’ Day is typically marked with a mass or church service. In the Roman Catholic Church, a specific mass is recited, with the aim of helping souls trapped in purgatory move towards heaven.
Who observes this holiday
This holiday is observed by Catholics and some Anglicans. Orthodox Churches hold a number of days of commemoration for the dead during their liturgical calendars. These holidays do not align with the November All Souls’ Day.
When it is observed
All Souls’ Day occurs on November 2, unless the 2nd is a Sunday, in which case it is observed in the Catholic Church on November 3.
What to do
There is no traditional greeting for All Souls’ Day. If you wish to participate, saying a prayer in honor of the dead would be appropriate.