All Saints Day

  • All Saints Day (All Hallows)

All Saints Day (Feast of All Hollows) is a major Christian feast celebrated on November 1, honoring all saints—both known and unknown—who have attained heaven. Its origins trace back to the early Christian Church, where martyrs and saints were commemorated on special days, but these local observances eventually developed into a unified, universal celebration.

History

  • The earliest celebrations can be found in the 4th to 7th centuries, often honoring Christian martyrs on various regional dates.​

  • In 609 AD, Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to the Virgin Mary and all martyrs, marking the start of a formal collective feast in May.​

  • By the 8th century, due to the increasing number of saints, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 for All Saints Day, dedicating a chapel at St. Peter’s Basilica to “all saints”.​

  • Pope Gregory IV extended this feast to the entire Church in 837 AD, cementing November 1 as the official date.​

  • All Saints Day celebrates not just canonized saints with specific feast days but also those whose holiness is known only to God.​

Observances

  • Traditions vary worldwide, including candle lighting, processions, and remembrance of deceased loved ones.​

  • Countries like France, Spain, and the Philippines have unique customs, such as grave visits and community prayers.

  • The day is marked by special Masses, prayers, and visits to graves, with the Gospel reading typically taken from Matthew 5:1–12 (“The Beatitudes”).​

  • It is a holy day for Catholics, emphasizing gratitude for the examples and intercessions of the saints throughout history.

All Saints Day thus serves as a time for the faithful to honor the lives and sacrifices of all who have lived virtuous, holy lives, and to contemplate their own spiritual journey alongside the “communion of saints”.

All Saints Day underscores that every person is called to holiness. The celebration affirms that men are part of a living, spiritual community with the saints, forming a communion that can inspire and support their spiritual journey.​