Halloween is a night filled with fun, fright, candy, and costumes, but the following two days have a whole different vibe. According to the site Catholic.org, November 1-2 is the time people honor saints and remember those whose lives have been lost on what is called All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. All Saints’ Day is November 1, and All Souls’ Day is November 2. To not get confused, All Saints’ Day is to celebrate the dead who have reached Heaven, and All Souls’ Day honors the faithful departed and not yet reached heaven. This day is the time to respect and value the faithful lives of these “heroes” and saints and decorate the resting place of those who lived their lives full of faith and purity. (Catholic Online, October 30, 2024) 

     All Saints’ Day was introduced in the 700s, but it regained significance after World War I because of the massive loss of lives. According to the site, TheWorldWar.org, in 1914, using the feast of All Saints’ Day, Pope Benedict XV declared that his encyclical said that European nations needed to end the war and establish peace. During World War I, there were destroyed churches everywhere, a vast number of deaths, and never-ending warfare. So in 1915, Pope Benedict XV permitted all priests to have three Masses during All Saints’ Day. One Mass was for the feast itself, another one was for praying for the ones who have passed, and the last Mass is the Mass that is offered according to the pope and their spiritual focus. These intentions continue in the present day. While the war continued, French soldiers celebrated All Saints’ Day by decorating the graves of their loved ones, just as many do today. (TheWorldWars.org, September 17, 2025)  According to Catholics.org, Catholics are expected to attend Mass on All Saints’ Day unless they have an acceptable excuse, such as a serious illness or injury. This is called a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation. (Catholics.org, October 30, 2024)

     All Souls’ Day is similar to All Saints’ Day, but in different ways. According to TheWorldWar.org, both celebrate the lives of those who are gone and have the same traditions. The biggest difference between the two is that All Saints’ Day celebrates the souls that have reached Heaven, and All Souls’ Day celebrates souls that have not yet reached Heaven. Many people still celebrate both All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. (TheWorldWar.org, September 17, 2025)

     Bethany Todd, a member at All Saints’ Catholic Church and the Coordinator of Religious Education and Youth Ministry, shared what saints she celebrates on this day: “ Many Saints pop in my head on All Saints’ Day. As a Catholic, I also know that when Mass is being celebrated, it is a time when both Heaven and Earth meet, when we all worship God together, so sometimes I like to close my eyes and imagine Angels and Saints filling up the Church along with those physically present that I can see. I imagine Mary, St John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and many more sitting in the pew with me,” She said there have been several saints who have had an impact on her life, but there is one saint, St. Therese of Lisieux, who “popped out more than others.” Bethany explained why she likes St. Therese of Lisieux, “She (St. Therese) is one of my favorites because if you look at her life, she really did not do anything revolutionary or grand, yet she was named a doctor of the Church and is one of the more well-known Saints simply because of her large love of and trust in Jesus. St. Therese of Lisieux said her spirituality can be described as “little things with great love” and trusting that Jesus would do the rest and always take care of her. There is a quote in St. Therese of Lisieux’s autobiography called “Story of A Soul”. The quote says, “If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.” This quote symbolizes the importance of embracing one’s unique identity, rather than striving to be someone else.

     Bethany Todd loves to celebrate All Saints’ Day, and said, “It shows us how many souls have made it into Heaven, and encourages us to strive toward Heaven as well. It is a beautiful day to remember those who have passed and have discovered how to live faithfully and follow God’s plan.” Bethany Todd also mentioned when she is struggling with comparison, she prays and comes back to St. Therese of Lisieux’s quote, and it always helps her.

     In conclusion, All Saints’ Day is an inspiring day that shows many people have made it to Heaven, and it is great that Catholics share this holiday to celebrate those who have gone before us. According to The People of The United Methodist Church at Umc.org, today, many people attend Mass, light candles, and teach their children about different saints. I agree with Bethany when she says the holiday is a beautiful and inspiring day to celebrate and cherish memories of saints and loved ones who have passed. (UMC.org, Oct. 28, 2024)