The Roman Catholic Church will observe the Solemnity of All Souls Day on Wednesday, November 2, in memory of the faithful departed.
Although many will be going back to work on Wednesday, families and friends are still expected to troop to cemeteries and columbariums to visit their departed loved ones with the ease in restrictions.
On November 2, three Requiem Masses (mass for the souls of the departed) will be offered in Catholic churches 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 on.
The Church encourages the faithful to hear mass on Wednesday 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.
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,
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.
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Kalookan is inviting the faithful to join the Healing Rosary for the World on November 2 at 9 p.m. which will be streamed live through its Facebook page.