All Saints Day

All Saints' Day is a solemnity in the Catholic Church dedicated to honoring all those who are saints. While countless individuals may be considered saints, the observance of All Saints' Day primarily focuses on those recognized within the Catholic Church's canon. All Saints' Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, requiring Catholics to attend Mass. The customs and traditions associated with All Saints' Day vary worldwide, with practices such as offering gifts to the deceased, lighting candles on graves, and commemorating saints through special events like All Saints Parties. All Saints' Day's historical origins can be traced back to the consecration of the Pantheon in Rome by Pope Boniface IV in 609 AD. The choice of November 1 as the date was established by Pope Gregory III in the eighth century. It became a Holy Day of Obligation under Pope Gregory IV. Despite variations in customs, All Saints' Day remains a day to honor those who have entered heaven, whether they are officially recognized by the Catholic Church or not. While various traditions and practices may blur the lines between All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, the central theme remains a celebration of the heavenly state and virtuous lives of individuals who have passed on.

Celebrate All Saints Day by doing the following:
Pray and give thanks for all the saints and unnamed saints that God has given us.

• Learn more about All Saints:
  • All Saints Day/EWTN
  • Loyola Press - All Saints Day
  • The Feast of All Saints: God's Glorious Nobodies via Franciscan Media
• Bake All Saints Cake.
• Pray the Litany of Saints