and gone before us marked with the Sign of Faith. The first day, All Saints Day, has its origin in the fourth century.
There was a time set aside to commemorate all the martyrs who died for the sake of Jesus Christ an Christianity. At that
time it was not celebrated the first day of November but rather during the Easter Season or the Octave (eight day
celebration) of Pentecost. This time period is in conjunction when Christ Himself gave His life for all. As the years
progressed, the celebration was augmented to include not only the martyrs but all saints, all who dedicated their life in
order to further the Gospel. By the year 835 the date was established as the first day of November. This allows for
Easter to have its proper time for gratitude and reflection. It also affords the faithful, those who are called to be saints, a
time of implementation of Christ’s saving love in their own daily lives. That would allow Pentecost, the true birthday of
the Church, as the time we put into action the very things we pondered during the Easter Season.
The second day of November we also lay aside time to commemorate all who have died. Even though many were not
“canonized” saints, we are all called to live saintly lives. It is a time for family remembrances, past friendships, and
quiet meditation for all who have added to our earthly lives in some way. We give thanks for these special people, and
we pray for the repose of their souls. This practice began during the eleventh century in the monasteries and was
adopted in Rome in the fourteenth century as universal. This date was always the second of November.
For although we are not physically with our beloved dead, we are mystically joined to them during the Sacrifice of the
Mass... and All Souls Day is the time we collectively or universally pray for our loved ones.
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