Three Requiem Masses (mass for the souls of the departed) will be offered Tuesday, November 2, for the holy souls in purgatory: One for the celebrant, one for the departed, and one for the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

According to tradition, the Office of the Dead will be recited by the clergy as well as novena prayers for all those who have passed away.

The Church encourages the faithful to hear mass today and to pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be repeatedly six times for the intentions of the pope in order to receive a plenary indulgence for a soul in purgatory.

With the temporary closure of cemeteries from October 29 to November 3, Manila Archdiocese Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula encourages the faithful to hear mass for their departed family members and loved ones. The faithful may also download a prayer for the departed via the Archdiocese of Manila Facebook page which the family may recite at home.

Also known as the Feast of All Souls and in some countries, the Day of the Dead or Memorial Day, “The souls of the faithful which at death have not been cleansed from venial sins or have not fully atoned for mortal sins and therefore, have not attained the beatific vision in heaven, may be helped to do so by praying, alms-giving, and by the holy sacrifice of the mass offered in their memory.” Church officials said.

All Souls’ Day is an acknowledgment of human frailty. It reminds the faithful to live holy lives and of the need to pray and offer masses for the eternal repose of the souls of the departed. “It is also the day that is meant to remember departed loved ones,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos. “The common practice of remembering the departed on November 1 should actually be observed on November 2 because the first day of November is meant to honor the Saints being All Saints’ Day,” he said.

All Souls’ Day was first established by St. Odilo, abbot of Cluny, France during the 11th century and began to be widely celebrated during the 13th century.