all souls day candles

Remembering our Faithful Departed

all souls day candlesEven if civil authorities may not declare November 2 as non-working holiday, the whole month of November is a traditional time for visiting graves of our loved ones. This practice, particularly the All Souls’ Day, has its roots since the second century A.D. It was St. Odilo of Cluny who established this memorial of all the faithful departed in the year 988.

Visiting our beloved dead and offering prayers for them purify them so that they may attain beatific vision of God (CCC 1032). More important than the flowers we bring in their graves and the sharing of food and drinks we do are our heartfelt prayers, especially our offering of the Holy Mass. “The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgence and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead” (CCC 1032).

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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