Happy All Souls Day

Happy All Souls Day, Today!

This day is for remembering and praying for the souls of the those in Purgatory. At Masses today (there will be three), the glorious Sequence "Dies Irae" (also used in Requiem Masses, i.e., Masses for the Dead) will be recited after the Epistle, Gradual, and Tract ("Dies Irae" means "Day of Wrath").

Between Noon of November 1 and Midnight tonight, a person who has been to confession and Communion can gain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, for the poor souls each time he visits a church or public oratory and recites the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory be six times. This is a special exception to the ordinary law of the Church according to which a plenary indulgence for the same work can be gained only once a day.

Those that faithful during the period of eight days from All Souls Day, visit a cemetery and pray for the dead may gain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, on each day of the Octave, applicable only to the dead. Here is a simple invocation for the dead, called the "Eternal Rest" prayer:

Eternal rest grant unto him/her (them), O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him/her (them). May he/she (they) rest in peace. Amen.

Catholics also pray this prayer for the dead anytime throughout the year, and whenever they pass a cemetery.

During these visits to the graves of loved ones, we spruce up their graves, leave flowers (especially chrysanthemums) and votive lights, and have picnics. It is a good day to not only remember the dead spiritually, but to tell your children about their ancestors. Bring out those family albums and family trees!

More about All Souls Day: here, here and here