St Patrick's Dumbarton

Feasts of All Saints (1 November) and All Souls (2 November)

Catholics celebrate these feasts in the fundamental belief that there is a prayerful spiritual communion between those who are in a state of grace who have died (and are either being purified in purgatory or are in Heaven) and the living faithful (the communion of saints). In saying the Creed, which we do at Mass, we proclaim our belief in the holy catholic Church and the communion of saints.

All Saints

The Solemnity of All Saints is a celebration of all those people – and not just the canonised - whom we believe to be in Heaven through good works and God’s grace. It is an opportunity for us to remember all saints and martyrs who have attained the glory of Heaven. The saints with whom we are most familiar are those Christian men and women throughout history who have been canonised by the Church in a formal process and are revered as worthy of imitation and veneration.

All Souls

All Souls’ Day (also known as the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed) is a day to pray especially for the souls of the dead. The Church invites us to pray for those we have loved and whose souls are awaiting purification after death in order to help these souls attain Heaven. “For the souls in purgatory, waiting for eternal happiness and for meeting the Beloved is a source of suffering because of the punishment due to sin which separates them from God. But there is also the certitude that once the time of purification is over, the souls will go to meet the One it desires.” [Letter of Pope John Paul II for Millennium of All Souls’ Day (1998)] Every November we are invited to compile a list of our friends who have died so that they are specially prayed for and remembered at Masses during that month. In praying for the dead, the Church above all contemplates the mystery of the Resurrection of Christ who obtains salvation and eternal life for us through His cross.

Saint Patrick, pray for us.

Videos - click on the images to watch the videos

Videos
	Becky Damon explains the Christian feasts of All Saints and All Souls day, and shares traditions of celebrating them from around the world.
	Taken from St Joseph School Studios