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THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS), NOVEMBER 2, 2025


Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.

And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day.

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”


REFLECTION

"Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life,

and I shall raise him on the last day."


Yesterday we celebrated all saints day, this is, all the people that are in Heaven, specially those who we don't know their names. Today we remember all the souls in purgatory and pray for them. This is the time of the year where we emphasize the three states of the Church: Militant (we on earth), Suffering (souls in purgatory), and Triumphant (saints in Heaven).


This is explained in CCC 962:

"We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers" (Paul VI, CPG # 30).

The octave of all souls also started yesterday, and until the 8th of November, we can receive a plenary indulgence each day of the octave by visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed. The usual conditions still apply to receive this indulgence:


  1. Have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin

  2. Have sacramentally confessed their sins

  3. Receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence only Holy Communion is required)

  4. Pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.


The document, "The Gift of Indulgence" explains better how to receive and request a plenary indulgence:

It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope's intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope's intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an "Our Father" and a "Hail Mary" are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father's intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.

In Mexico, we decorate a special place in the house with pictures of our loved ones that have passed away. The setup has three levels, to remind us of the three states of the Church.


We place pictures of our loved ones and marigolds (the flowers for the dead for Mesoamerican cultures). A cross is placed in the highest level surrounded by an arch of flowers, and candles and more flowers, to represent Jesus' death and how through His dead He opened Heaven for us, and the souls that already crossed this portal through Him. We can include an image of our Lady to remind us of her intercession, and Holy Water to recall our baptism.


This setup is commonly called "altar for the dead", and we display it at least during the Octave of all souls. But it can be left all month, so we can pray for the repose of the souls of our loved ones.


What other traditions exist throughout the world during these days? Can you share?


God bless y'all! Happy All Hallowtide!


 
 
 

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A happy catholic
Nov 03, 2025

Thank you for a lovely and informative reflection.

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