Saintly Saturday

This week we celebrate the solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. Thus, rather than focusing on a particular saint this week’s Saintly Saturday, we’ll take a look at All Saints’ and All Souls’ instead.

~Solemnity of All Saints~

    November 1st is celebrated as the solemn holy day of all the saints. These are particularly the known saints, those recognized by the Church. Pope Boniface IV initially established All Saints’ in 609 AD. The pope had consecrated the Pantheon, a Roman temple, to the Blessed Virgin and to Martyrs. It is said that he intended the place, formerly dedicated to the worship of demons, to from thence forward be a place where the memory of saints could be honored. The day was originally celebrated on May 13th, until it was later moved to November 1st by Pope Gregory III in the eighth century. 

~Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed~

    Following All Saints’ is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’), observed on November 2nd. Since the earliest days of the Church, prayers for the dead have always been encouraged. The idea and concept of praying for the dead were not uncommon even before the Church. All Souls’ however, was not formally established until the eleventh century. The abbot of Cluny, St. Odilo, had decreed that Cluniac monasteries sing the Office and offer special prayers for the Dead on the day after All Saints’. The custom spread and was eventually adopted by the Church.

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    Concerning the customs of celebration on All Saints’ and All Souls’, as well as their relation to the secular holiday, Halloween, see the links below:

-https://catholicexchange.com/the-origins-of-halloween-all-saints-day/

-https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1185

-https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2020-11-02