All Saints’ Day, also known as The Feast of All Saints, commemorates all those who have died and are now in Heaven. Generally, November 1, The Solemnity of All Saints, is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church.
The word “Saint” often refers to those men and women whom the Catholic Church has canonized. When a person’s cause for canonization is first opened they are known as a Servant of God.
In the mid-eighth century, Pope Gregory III officially established All Saints’ Day on November 1, as a day dedicated to the saints. During the reign of King Louis the Pious, Pope Gregory IV declared the Feast of All Saints a Holy Day of Obligation.
The day before All Saints’ Day is Halloween. Is there a connection between these two? Actually, there is but the religious origins of Halloween have largely been forgotten. Halloween was derived from a way of saying All Saints Eve – just as we say Christmas Eve. In the later half of the nineteenth century, Halloween became more secular, that is, not having any connection with religion, and began to develop into what it is today.
November 1 is an excellent time for us all to remember the universal call to holiness. We were all made to become saints! The Saints were human beings too, ordinary men and women who loved God more than they loved themselves. Throughout their daily lives they placed themselves at the service of God and others. They passed through many trials, remained faithful, and as a result they now see God face-to-face.
Wednesday, 28 May 2025