Getting back to Catechesis: So what is All Souls Day again?

All Souls Day isn’t as old as the Feast of All Saints but does date back more than 1000 years. The feast is celebrated to pray for the souls in Purgatory.

“On this day is observed the commemoration of the faithful departed, in which our common and pious Mother the Church, immediately after having endeavored to celebrate by worthy praise all her children who already rejoice in heaven, strives to aid by her powerful intercession with Christ, her Lord and Spouse, all those who still groan in  purgatory, so that they may join as soon as possible the inhabitants of the heavenly city.” —Roman Martyrology.

Every priest is permitted to say three Masses on this day and it would be a good practice for the laity to attend three Masses and offer them for the Poor Souls.

All Souls Indulgences

An indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed. The indulgence is plenary each day from the first to the eighth of  November; on other days of the year it is partial.

A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who on the day dedicated to the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (November 2 as well as on the Sunday preceding or following), and on All Saints’ Day piously visit a cemetery or columbarium. Sacred Heart parish has our columbarium below the sanctuary where this indulgence may be fulfilled by praying for the faithful departed committed in this sacred place for memorial. In visiting the memorial for the dead it is required that one Our Father and the Creed be recited.

To acquire a plenary indulgence it is necessary also to fulfill the following three conditions: sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the intention of the Holy Father. The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the visit; it is, however, fitting that communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Holy Father be said on the same day as the visit.

The condition of praying for the intention of the Holy Father is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary. A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of the day.