All Souls' Day
Each year on November 2nd, we celebrate All Souls' Day, also called The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. It’s a Holy Day when we remember loved ones who have died and pray for their souls to be at peace.
Back in the 2nd century, evidence exists that Christians prayed for and celebrated the Eucharist for their beloved dead. In the beginning, they would pray on the third day after burial, then on the anniversary. Later, the 7th and 30th day after death became days on which it became customary to pray for the deceased. Remembering the dead on the 2 November became official in the year 998 when Abbot Odilo of Cluny (994-1048) made it obligatory in all the monasteries subject to him.
As Catholics, we believe it is our duty to pray for our loved ones who have died, so that their souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into heaven. There is a scriptural basis for this belief. The primary reference is in Second Maccabees 12: 26–32:
Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out...
Thus they made atonement for the dead so that they might be free from sin.
Altar of Remembrance
Throughout the month of November, we will continue to pray for those who have died and remember them at all of our Masses. At the side altar in church, you will find a table with our Book of Remembrance, where you can write the names of your deceased loved ones to be prayed for at Mass. You are also invited to leave framed photos of them on the table (please include the name of the deceased along with your name on the back of each photo). We will leave the book and the pictures on display throughout the month of November.
Please don't forget to retrieve your photograph(s) the first week of December.