Why do Catholics celebrate All Souls Day?
The Church is composed of the faithful living upon the earth and those who have gone before us. The latter includes the Saints in Heaven and the faithful Souls being purified in Purgatory. Just as on November 1st we honor those who are with God, on November 2nd Catholics celebrate a Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. Also known as All Souls Day, on this day we honor them for their fidelity in life, as well as pray for them, since they are being purified before entering the All Holy Presence of God. As Revelation 21:27 says of the Heavenly Jerusalem, “… nothing unclean shall enter in.”
All Saints’ Day, in the Christian church, a day commemorating all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven. It is celebrated on November 1 in the Western churches and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Eastern churches. In Roman Catholicism, the feast is usually a holy day of obligation. It is part of the three-day triduum dedicated to remembering the dead, beginning with Halloween (October 31) and followed by All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2).
The exact origin of All Saints’ Day is unclear, and it has been celebrated on different days in various locations. According to Ephraem Syrus, a feast for all martyrs was held on May 13 in the Eastern church around 373. This may have influenced Pope Boniface IV to choose May 13 when he dedicated the Pantheon in Rome as a church for the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs in 609. The earliest record of the celebration on November 1 and the expansion of the festival to include all saints, not just martyrs, took place during the time of Pope Gregory III, who dedicated a chapel in St. Peter’s, Rome, on November 1. Alcuin observed All Saints’ Day on November 1 in 800, and it was also listed in a 9th-century English calendar. In 837, Pope Gregory IV mandated that it be celebrated widely. In medieval England, this festival was called All Hallows, and its eve is still referred to as Halloween. The days from October 31 to November 2, which includes All Souls’ Day, are sometimes referred to as Allhallowtide.
Some believe that All Souls’ Day originated in the Middle Ages when Catholicism spread to England and Ireland. As the faith grew, it merged with the Pagan customs of the Celtic people. In 1000 A.D., the Catholic Church established All Souls’ Day, incorporating elements from Samhain, a Gaelic festival that celebrated the end of the harvest season and the start of winter. This holiday featured celebrations such as masquerades and bonfires.
The holiday has ties to Halloween. In the early days of All Souls’ Day, it was common for the poor to go door-to-door to wealthy homes, asking for soul cakes—small, sweet cakes flavored with cinnamon. In return, they would offer prayers for the deceased family members of those who gave them the cakes. This practice, known as souling, eventually shifted to a children’s activity where kids would ask for treats like money, food, or drink. This evolved into what we now recognize as trick-or-treating.
Today, All Souls’ Day is marked by prayer within the Catholic Church. Many parishes hold masses dedicated to honoring the deceased. Churches often invite their members to write the names of lost loved ones in a “Book of the Dead” or “Book of Remembrance,” ensuring these names are included in prayers throughout November. Additional customs involve cleaning and visiting graves, as well as decorating cemeteries with lighted candles. Some families honor their deceased by preparing their favorite meals and placing them on the graves.
A Reflection for All Souls Day
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem, built as a city
which is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they prosper who love you!
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers!”
For my brethren and companions’ sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
—Pslam 122 (RSV)
Psalm 122, known as the “Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem,” beautifully expresses joy, peace, and unity within the sacred city, symbolizing a spiritual home and a divine meeting place with God. In the context of All Souls Day, this psalm inspires us to reflect on the profound themes of prayer, spiritual reflection, and the eternal journey of souls.
On All Souls Day, we come together to remember our loved ones who have passed away, sharing in the joy of our journey to the “house of the Lord.” This holy place symbolizes our final goal—heaven—where we wish for the souls of the faithful departed to find peace and rest. Like pilgrims heading to Jerusalem, we feel drawn to attend Mass and visit the graves of those we have lost, offering our prayers to God.
Jerusalem stands for unity, where all people unite. On All Souls Day, we are reminded of the strong connection between the living and the dead within the body of Christ. The Church, often referred to as the “New Jerusalem,” brings all believers together in prayer for the peace and eternal rest of those in purgatory. This unity reflects a love that goes beyond death; our prayers help strengthen our community, supporting the souls that need our assistance.
Our thankful journey on All Souls Day resembles the tribes’ ascent to Jerusalem as we express gratitude to God for His mercy. We ask Him to embrace those in purgatory and allow them into heaven, the eternal Jerusalem. Each prayer we offer serves as a step towards light, a symbol of hope for those who have departed.
As we pray for peace, we also seek the well-being of our loved ones and the comfort that heaven provides. Just as the psalmist calls for the peace of Jerusalem, we raise our voices for the souls of the departed, hoping they find eternal rest in God’s loving care. The walls and towers of the heavenly city represent the safety and security that await those who have finished their time on earth.
On All Souls Day, we show our love and compassion through prayers for those who have passed away. Our prayers reach beyond our family and friends to include all souls in purgatory, as we ask for peace in the heavenly Jerusalem. Each prayer reflects our strong belief in God’s mercy and our desire for eternal rest for those who came before us.
Psalm 122 reminds us of our path to heaven. It highlights the unity of the Church in prayer, the hope for lasting peace, and the belief that God’s mercy will help the souls of the departed find their true home in the “house of the Lord.” We should hold this message close and be inspired to honor and pray for those who are no longer with us, trusting in the promise of eternal life.
All Souls Day is not simply a tradition; it is a time for deep spiritual reflection and connection with the souls who have died. Through prayers, acts of remembrance, and visits to cemeteries, the faithful affirm the Catholic belief in intercession and the importance of aiding souls in purgatory. By lighting candles, attending Mass, and praying for the deceased, families honor their loved ones while reinforcing their faith in God’s gift of eternal life.
In the Catholic faith, All Souls Day serves as a reminder of life’s fragility and the need to pray for those who have left us. It offers a moment to reflect on the lasting bond between the living and the deceased, rooted in love and spiritual support. Through traditional customs or personal acts of devotion, remembering the dead on All Souls Day brings comfort and hope, reminding us of the eternal peace that awaits in God’s presence.