How Many Days Until All Souls' Day?
All Souls' Day 2025 is on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
About All Souls' Day
All Souls' Day, formally known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is observed primarily in the Catholic Church, as well as by some other Christian denominations, on November 2nd. It follows All Saints' Day and is dedicated to prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died, particularly those believed to be in Purgatory.
Meaning: Remembering the Faithful Departed
While All Saints' Day celebrates those already in Heaven (the Church Triumphant), All Souls' Day focuses on remembering and praying for all baptized Christians who have died and are believed to be undergoing purification before entering Heaven (the Church Suffering or Penitent).
Prayer for the Departed
The central focus is offering prayers, Masses, and sacrifices on behalf of the souls in Purgatory, believing these actions can help hasten their journey to Heaven.
Affirmation of Resurrection
It reaffirms the Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, expressing hope for the deceased.
Remembrance and Connection
It provides a specific time for remembering deceased family members and friends, maintaining a sense of connection with them through prayer.
Communion of Saints
Like All Saints' Day, it underscores the Communion of Saints â the bond between believers on Earth, souls in Purgatory, and saints in Heaven.
The Concept of Purgatory (Catholic Perspective)
The Catholic understanding of Purgatory is central to All Souls' Day:
- State of Purification: Purgatory is understood not as a place, but as a state of final purification for those who die in God's grace and friendship but are still imperfectly purified.
- Temporal Punishment: It's believed that souls in Purgatory undergo purification from the "temporal punishment" due to sins already forgiven.
- Assurance of Heaven: Souls in Purgatory are assured of eventually entering Heaven.
- Help from the Living: Catholic teaching holds that the prayers and good works of the faithful on Earth, especially the offering of the Mass, can assist the souls undergoing this purification.
Other Christian traditions may have different views on the afterlife and the efficacy of prayers for the dead.
How All Souls' Day is Observed
Masses for the Dead
Special Masses are offered for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. Priests may celebrate multiple Masses on this day.
Visiting Cemeteries
A very common practice, often begun on All Saints' Day, involves visiting graves, cleaning them, decorating them with flowers (especially chrysanthemums), and lighting candles.
Lighting Candles
Candles are lit at gravesites and sometimes in homes, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World and representing prayers for the departed.
Specific Prayers
Prayers like the "Eternal Rest" prayer ("Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them...") are frequently recited.
Tolling Bells
Historically, bells were tolled to remind people to pray for the souls in Purgatory.
Liturgical Colors
Violet (symbolizing penance and mourning) or black (traditional color for mourning) may be used in liturgical celebrations.
Part of Allhallowtide
Halloween (October 31)
All Hallows' Eve, the vigil before the feast of All Saints.
All Saints' Day (November 1)
Celebrates all saints in heaven (Church Triumphant).
All Souls' Day (November 2)
Commemorates all the faithful departed, especially those in Purgatory (Church Suffering/Penitent).
All Souls' Day completes the Allhallowtide triduum, a period focused on remembering the dead and the reality of the afterlife within Christian belief.