What is All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day?

All Saints’ Day celebrates all who are with God in heaven. All Souls’ Day commemorates the faithful departed and calls Catholics to pray especially for those being purified before entering heaven.

All Saints’ Day. Celebrated on November 1, All Saints’ Day is a solemnity honoring the whole Church triumphant. It includes famous canonized saints and the countless holy men, women, and children known only to God. St. John saw “a great multitude, which no one could count,” worshiping before God’s throne (Rev 7:9-10). The feast reminds every Christian that holiness is not reserved for a spiritual elite. All are called to become saints through union with Christ (CCC 2013-2014).

All Souls’ Day. Celebrated on November 2, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed is devoted to prayer for the dead. Those who die in God’s grace and friendship but still need purification undergo purgatory before entering the fullness of heaven (CCC 1030-1031). They are saved, but our prayers can assist them. Scripture praises prayer and sacrifice for the dead as a holy practice connected with belief in the resurrection (2 Macc 12:44-46).

The communion behind both days. Death does not destroy the unity of Christ’s Body. The saints in heaven pray for us, Christians on earth pray for one another, and the faithful can aid the departed through prayer and sacrifice (CCC 946-958). All Saints’ Day looks with joy toward heaven. All Souls’ Day expresses hope and charity toward those still being purified. Neither day treats the dead as absent from God’s care.

How Catholics observe them. Catholics commonly celebrate Mass on both days, visit cemeteries, pray for deceased relatives, and arrange to have Masses offered for the dead. The Church especially recommends the Eucharistic sacrifice, almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance on their behalf (CCC 1032). All Saints’ Day is listed as a holy day of obligation in the Latin Church, although local bishops’ conferences may modify its observance according to Church law (Canon 1246). All Souls’ Day is not ordinarily a holy day of obligation.

On November 1, ask a favorite saint to help you follow Christ faithfully. On November 2, pray by name for deceased family members, friends, and forgotten souls who may have no one else praying for them.