Just as we have All Saints Day (Nov 1st) in the Catholic Church where we celebrate those who have gone before us who we consider saints and wo we believe already enjoy the eternal glory of heaven, we take an additional day (Nov 2nd) to pray for God’s mercy upon all the souls of those who have gone before us who may not yet be saints in heaven with God.

While All Souls Day is not a Holy Day of Obligation, it is an opportunity that many take to pray for the souls of those who have died over the past year. While we have hope that all those we love are with God in heaven, it is not a certainty. So we pray for those in purgatory especially on this day, that they might soon be joined with God forever. It is our Catholic belief that it is our duty and a good and holy thing to pray for the Faithful Departed/the Holy Souls.

 The Parish Book of Remembrance is placed near the sanctuary during the celebrations of Holy Mass throughout November and all those whose names are inscribed are remembered daily in the intentions at Holy Mass.

Each year, on All Souls Day, our Church grants each of us the opportunity to gain a Plenary Indulgence. There are two plenary indulgences attached to All Souls Day, one for visiting a church and another for visiting a cemetery. (The plenary indulgence for visiting a cemetery can also be obtained every day from November 1-8, and, as a partial indulgence, on any day of the year.) While the actions are performed by the living, the merits of the indulgences are applicable only to the souls in Purgatory.

 This means, as God sees fit, a soul may be freed from Purgatory as a direct result of your prayers and good works on All Souls Day. This indulgence may be gained if: You are in a state of Grace, you attend Mass and receive Holy Communion, and you pray for the intention of the Holy Father.