The Origin of All Souls Day

All Souls Day is attributed to Odilo, Abbot of Cluny (c. 962- 1049), who instituted a general day of intercession following All Saints Day. The observance became universal by the end of the 13th century, a day dedicated to prayer and remembrance.

As Pope Benedict XVI said on the occasion of All Souls Day in 2008:

Today, with our heart[s] still turned toward this ultimate reality, we commemorate all of the faithful departed, who have “gone before us marked with the sign of faith and… who sleep in Christ” (Eucharistic Prayer I). It is very important that we Christians live a relationship of the truth of the faith with the deceased and that we view death and the afterlife in the light of Revelation. Already the Apostle Paul, writing to the first communities, exhorted the faithful to ‘not grieve as others do who have no hope. “For since,” he wrote, “we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14).

Made for Heaven

The example of those gone before us should inspire us and draw our thoughts heavenward. As Pope Francis said:

Let us ask ourselves which side we are on: that of heaven or that of earth? Do we live for the Lord or for ourselves, for eternal happiness or for some immediate gratification? Let us ask ourselves: do we truly want holiness?

As we remember the faithful departed, our thoughts should be drawn beyond the earth and its fleeting joys. In Christ, we have the hope that there is more to our lives than our short time on earth. Thanks to His sacrifice for us, we will one day reside with Him in glory and gaze upon His face.