All Souls' Day

noun

a day of solemn prayer for all dead persons, observed by Roman Catholics and certain Anglicans, usually on November 2.

All Souls' Day

noun

RC Church a day of prayer (Nov 2) for the dead in purgatory

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Word History and Origins

Origin of All Souls' Day¹

First recorded in 1550–60

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More About All Souls’ Day

What is All Souls’ Day?

All Souls’ Day is a Christian holiday of solemn prayer for the deceased.

It originated as a holiday of the Catholic Church, but it is also observed by some other Christians.

Especially among Catholics, it is often observed as a time to pray for people whose souls are believed to be in purgatory.

The day before All Souls’ Day is All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday in honor of all the Christian saints.

When is All Souls’ Day?

All Souls’ Day is always observed on November 2.

Where does All Souls’ Day come from?

The first records of the name All Souls’ Day come from around the 1560s—around the time the name All Saints’ Day is first recorded. But both holidays are much older.

Like many Christian holidays, the observance of All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day—and their dates—are thought to have been influenced by preexisting religious traditions. Many historians believe that the observance of All Saints’ Day was situated on November 1 in Britain and Ireland to coincide with (or replace) the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, observed on or around November 1.

Under Christianity, some of the traditions of Samhain were incorporated into All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Many of these customs were brought by immigrants to the US, where Halloween has been influenced by and has incorporated elements from several cultures. One cultural celebration with some notable parallels with Halloween is Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), which coincides with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (likely due to the influence of Christian European colonizers and missionaries in Mexico and Latin America).

An older name for All Saints’ Day is Allhallows. The night before was known as Allhallows Eve, which is where the word Halloween comes from.

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What are some words that often get used in discussing All Souls’ Day?

How is All Souls’ Day used in real life?

All Souls’ Day is primarily observed by Catholics, but is also observed by some other branches of Christianity.

The Prefecture of the Papal Household announces that on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, Commemoration All Souls' Day, Pope Francis will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration at the French Military Cemetery in Rome. pic.twitter.com/8ex7dikizb

— Ines San Martin (@inesanma) October 23, 2021

These are two paintings to remind us of All Saints Day and All Souls Day coming up at the end of the month. It used to be a well-known time in the Liturgical calendar known as Allhallowtide.

We are making plans with other churches in the diocese and hope that you will join us. pic.twitter.com/XosYbFdvhV

— stmarknc (@stmarknc) October 19, 2021

As I did last year, I’d love to include your beloved dead in the Book of Life at my parish. DM me with any names you’d like me to write in the book for you and they will be prayed for each day during the month of November as well as at the All Souls Day requiem evensong. pic.twitter.com/ylwsgmL5ty

— Cody 🎃 (@cebm__) October 27, 2021

Try using All Souls’ Day!

True or False?

All Souls’ Day is the day after All Saints’ Day.

all-sorts allspice

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