Tuesday March 19, 2024

All Souls' Day


Gravesite adorned with candles and flowers

The next upcoming All Souls' Day is on Saturday November 2nd, 2024. All Souls' day falls on November 2nd each year. The day is dedicated to giving money or food to the poor and to give prayers for the dead and in particular dead relatives. All Souls day is not a public holiday so business and government offices will be open as usual. All Saints Day is the day before and focuses on those in heaven where All Souls day emphasizes those in purgatory and reminds us to live holy lives and the purification of the souls in Heaven.

Celebration\ Observance

In Catholic countries around the world people will attend church on this day as well as visit the grave sites of their dead relatives. It is common for people to adorn the grave site with flowers and other decorations and light candles in honor of their relatives who have passed on.

History

This day in history has it roots going back to 993 AD with Abbot Odilo of Cluny establishing it for the monks in the monasteries to pray for the souls in purgatory. Throughout history people have always had rituals to honor the dead, however this day was created and now celebrated to honor and pray for those souls in purgatory as well as those of the faithfully departed.


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