Dear Brothers and Sisters,

You may have noticed the large banner in the sanctuary with the image of St. Bernadette and a list of our parishioners who have died this past year. We also have the Book of Remembrance, where you are welcome to write the names of loved ones you would like remembered at Holy Mass.

Traditionally, November is the month when the Catholic Church remembers all those who have died. The Solemnity of All Saints on November 1st celebrates all who have reached heaven—the canonized saints and the countless holy people known only to God. The Church gives thanks for their holiness and looks to their example and intercession.

The Catholic Church celebrates All Souls' Day on November 2nd. This commemorates all the faithful departed, especially those who are still being purified on their way to heaven. The Church prays for them, particularly through the Mass. You can also pray for a particular person by name, using a simple prayer such as, “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,” or by praying the De profundis (Psalm 130). Other fitting practices include praying the Rosary for the dead, visiting a cemetery, giving alms, performing works of mercy, fasting, and offering penance for them. These are ways of entrusting the departed to God’s mercy—not attempts to control or predict their state after death. You may pray privately or with others, on All Souls’ Day, an anniversary, or at any time. The Church’s prayer is that God purify the faithful departed, if needed, and bring them to the joy of heaven. Praying for the souls in Purgatory is one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy.

October 31st is Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, which is linked to the ‘celebration’ and remembrance of the Saints. In the sixth century, Pope Boniface IV proclaimed May 13th as the Feast of All Holy Martyrs. In 835, Pope Gregory IV changed the date and name to November 1st and the Feast of All Saints. The date was changed to coincide with the end of the Fall season. The name was changed due to the change in custom of who was honored as a Saint. Up until this time, only martyrs were given that title. So, November 1st was designated as the time to honor (hallow) the Saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain, and the evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, “hallowed evening”, and later Halloween.

The Feast of All Souls, now called the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (because it is not a feast in the liturgical sense), is thought to have its origins with St. Odilo of Cluny, who, in 948 A.D. instituted a commemoration of the faithful departed in his monastery. In the Benedictine liturgical books, still today, an Antiphon commemorates this fact on the memorial of the Abbots of Cluny on May 11th.

In 1003, Pope Sylvester approved the practice and moved the date to November 2nd, the day after the Feast of All Saints. Finally, in the fourteenth century, this day of commemoration was placed in the official books of the Western (Latin) Church and remains there today. Catholic Churches across the world usually have a Book of Remembrance that is placed in a prominent place within the Church itself, so that the names in it are especially ‘remembered’ and prayed for during this month.

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

God Bless.

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