Saint of the day, November 2
Through prayer and remembrance, All Souls’ Day invites Catholics to entrust the faithful departed to God's mercy and hope in the promise of eternal life.
November 2 - All Souls’ Day
Established: Observed on November 2 beginning in the 10th century
On All Souls’ Day, the Catholic Church remembers the faithful departed, offering prayers for those who have died and especially for the souls in purgatory. The observance invites Catholics to remember their loved ones and entrust them to God's mercy.
The Church teaches that souls who die in God's grace but still need purification before entering heaven undergo this cleansing in purgatory. Scripture tells us that nothing unclean can enter heaven (Revelation 21:27), while the Second Book of Maccabees describes prayers offered for the dead.
Praying for the departed dates back to the early Church. In the 10th century, St. Odilo of Cluny established November 2 as a day of remembrance in his monasteries, and the observance gradually spread throughout the Church.
All Souls’ Day reminds us that our love for those who have died continues through prayer. By offering Masses, visiting cemeteries, and praying for the souls in purgatory, we can entrust the faithful departed to God's mercy and hope in the promise of eternal life.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
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