The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. Based on the doctrine of Purgatory, the Church has, from ancient times, held the tradition of praying for her departed children. After St. Odilo of Cluny established an annual commemoration of all the faithful departed in Benedictine monasteries in the tenth century, the practice spread progressively throughout the Western Church.
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Wis 3:1-9
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of Himself. As gold in the furnace, He proved them, and as sacrificial offerings He took them to Himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in Him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with Him in love: because grace and mercy are with His holy ones, and His care is with His elect.
Responsorial Psalm – 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (R. 1)
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for You are with me.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul. R.
He guides me in right paths
for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for You are at my side
with Your rod and Your staff
that give me courage. R.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. R.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come. R.
Second Reading – Rom 6:3-9
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were indeed buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with Him through a death like His, we shall also be united with Him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over Him.
Gospel – Jn 6:37-40
Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to Me, because I came down from heaven not to do My own will but the will of the one who sent Me. And this is the will of the one who sent Me, that I should not lose anything of what He gave Me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I shall raise Him on the last day.”
Featured Saints
St. Victorinus, bishop and martyr (†circa 303). Bishop of Ptuj, in present-day Slovenia. He published numerous exegetical works and was martyred during the persecutions of Diocletian.
St. Malachy, bishop (†1148). He restored ecclesial life in the diocese of Down and Connor, Ireland. He died in the monastery of Clairvaux, with the presence of St Bernard.
St. Marcian, hermit (†fourth century). In a monastery in Chalcis near Antioch,He dedicated himself to prayer, work and study, he took only one meal a day in the evening, consisting of bread and water, but he gave more importance to charity than to fasting..
St Ambrose, abbot (†cica 520). Renowned for his holiness of life, he was sent to be the abbot of the monastery in Saint-Maurice-en-Valais, in present-day Switzerland, and there established the practice of perpetual praise.
St. Winifred, virgin (†seventh century). Instructed by her uncle, St. Bono, she made rapid progress in the practice of virtue and embraced the monastic life in Holywell, Wales.
Blessed Pius of St. Aloysius Campidelli, religious (†1889). At the age of 14 he entered the Passionist Order and was preparing for the priesthood when he was struck with tuberculosis, which ended his life at 21. An example of resignation and serenity, he offered his life for the Church, for the Pope and for the conversion of sinners.
Blessed Margaret of Lorraine, religious (†1521). She was married to the Duke of Alençon, France. Upon being widowed, she entered a Poor Clare monastery that she herself had founded.
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