Edit Feast: All Souls' Day

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Free text (article body): The '''Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed''', commonly known as All Souls' Day, is the annual [[feast]] in the [[Roman Rite]] dedicated to praying for all the faithful who have died and may be in [[Purgatory]]. Observed on November 2 according to the [[General Roman Calendar]], it immediately follows the [[Solemnity]] of [[All Saints]] on November 1. While not a [[Holy Day of Obligation]], the day emphasizes the Church's duty to intercede for the departed through [[Mass]] and supplication. The *General Roman Calendar* (2002 edition) permits up to three Masses on All Souls' Day in parishes, a privilege rooted in historical indults. The liturgical texts focus on hope in the resurrection and the purification of souls, with black or violet vestments traditionally worn, though white is allowed in some contexts since the 1990s. The commemoration forms part of the concluding phase of the [[liturgical year]] in [[Ordinary Time]]. Though not ranked as a solemnity, feast, or memorial, All Souls holds a unique status as a universal commemoration with proper Mass formularies in the [[Missale Romanum]]. It reflects the Church's belief in the [[communion of saints]] and the efficacy of prayer for the dead, as taught in Scripture and tradition. ==Liturgical observance== The liturgical color is black or violet, though the *Missale Romanum* (editio typica tertia, 2002) permits white when the theme of resurrection predominates. The [[Gloria]] is omitted, and there is no [[Creed]]. The [[Lectionary]] offers multiple options for readings, including Job 19:1, 23–27a ("I know that my Redeemer lives"), Romans 5:5–11, or 1 Corinthians 15:51–57 (first reading); and John 6:37–40 or John 11:17–27 (Gospel).{{cite book|title=Missale Romanum|edition=editio typica tertia|publisher=Libreria Editrice Vaticana|year=2002}} {{cite book|title=Lectionary for Mass|volume=III|publisher=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops|year=2002}} Priests may celebrate or concelebrate three Masses on this day, applying the second and third for the intentions of the faithful departed or the Pope's intentions, per a privilege first granted by Pope Benedict XV in 1915.{{cite web|title=Decree on Three Masses on All Souls' Day|publisher=Apostolic Penitentiary|date=1915-08-10|url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/index.htm}} The [[Preface]] for the Dead and the [[Sequence]] ''Dies irae'' (optional since 1969) may be used. No Vigil is prescribed, but the Office for the Dead is recommended in the [[Liturgy of the Hours]]. ==History== Commemoration of the dead has roots in early Christianity; evidence suggests monastic communities prayed for deceased members by the 7th century. St. Odilo of Cluny established a formal commemoration for all the faithful departed on November 2 in 998 at Cluny Abbey, a practice that spread through the Cluniac reform.{{cite book|title=The Catholic Encyclopedia|volume=1|entry=All Souls' Day|publisher=Robert Appleton Company|year=1913|url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01315b.htm}} By the 13th century, the custom was widespread in the Latin Church, and Rome adopted November 2 under Pope John XIX. The 1915 decree of Benedict XV allowing three Masses responded to World War I casualties. The 1969 calendar reform retained November 2 but moved the date to November 3 if November 2 is a Sunday, ensuring precedence of the Sunday in Ordinary Time.{{cite web|title=Norms for the Liturgical Year|publisher=Consilium|year=1969|url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_19690314_normae-annum-liturgicum_en.html}} This reflects universal Roman Rite observance; local [[dioceses]] may adjust for pastoral reasons. ==Theological significance== The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed expresses the Church's belief in [[Purgatory]] and the spiritual bond uniting the Church Militant, Suffering, and Triumphant. The [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] states: "All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified... undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven" (CCC 1030).{{cite book|title=Catechism of the Catholic Church|edition=2nd|publisher=Libreria Editrice Vaticana|year=1997|paragraphs=1030–1032}} Scripture supports prayer for the dead in 2 Maccabees 12:46: "It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." The Gospel reading of John 6:40 affirms Christ's promise: "Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day." Pope Benedict XVI taught in *Spe Salvi* (2007) that All Souls reminds the living of their own mortality and the hope of resurrection.{{cite web|title=Spe Salvi|publisher=Vatican|date=2007-11-30|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html}} ==Veneration and traditions== Liturgical tradition holds that the primary act of veneration is offering [[Mass]] for the deceased. According to popular devotion, customs include visiting cemeteries, lighting candles, and cleaning graves—practices widespread in Latin America, Europe, and the Philippines, but not mandated by the *Missale Romanum*. In Mexico, the *Día de los Muertos* blends pre-Christian and Catholic elements, though the Church distinguishes it from strictly liturgical observance. Indulgences may be gained for the souls in Purgatory by visiting a church or oratory and praying the [[Our Father]] and [[Creed]] on All Souls' Day, per the *Enchiridion Indulgentiarum* (4th ed., 1999). Specific foods, music, or processions cannot be confirmed as universal; "soul cakes" or "pan de muerto" are regional traditions. The [[Requiem]] Mass and hymns like "In Paradisum" are used devotionally. ==Significant locations== {{FeastMapSimple}} ==Dynamic content== ===Parishes=== {{Feast parish map}} ===Media=== {{Feast media}} ===Shrines=== ====Dynamic shrines==== {{Feast shrines}} ====List of shrines==== This cannot be confirmed as no [[shrines]] are canonically dedicated exclusively to the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed under Canon 1230. Cemeteries and chapels often host All Souls observances, but none hold official shrine status for this commemoration. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html Lumen Gentium §51] – Vatican (on prayer for the dead) * [https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/all-souls-day All Souls Day] – USCCB * [https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_apostpenit_doc_19990716_ench-indulg_en.html Enchiridion Indulgentiarum] – Apostolic Penitentiary [[Category:Feasts]] [[Category:Liturgical year]] [[Category:Commemorations]]

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