Got an idea for a new holiday? Let us know!
Submit Holiday

All Souls Day

Honor and remember your departed loved ones on All Souls Day - take a moment to reflect, light a candle, and pay tribute.
Weekly And Monthly Reports - Techcloud X Webflow Template
When it is?
November 2
Growth - Techcloud X Webflow Template
Category
Religious
Location Icon
Country
International
Introduction

Celebrate All Souls Day on November 2 by honoring the memories of those we have lost! This special holiday dates back to 998 AD, when the Catholic Church began celebrating it as a day to remember the souls of all those who had gone before. Today, it is a day of remembrance and commemoration for people of many different faiths. It's also a great opportunity to reflect on the lives of loved ones, whether they were family, friends, or even pets that have passed away. So celebrate this special day in honor of all those who are no longer with us - light a candle, say a prayer and cherish their memory forever.

History of All Souls Day

All Souls Day Dates

All Souls Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of All Souls Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Catholic Church begins celebrating All Souls Day, a day dedicated to remembering all those who have died.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1300s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Day of the Dead Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>In Mexico, the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) begins to be celebrated, similar in spirit to All Souls Day, honoring deceased relatives with festivities.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>All Souls Day Expands</div><div class='timeline-text'>The celebration of All Souls Day spread across Europe, with observances encompassing prayers, masses, and remembrances for the departed.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Prayer for Souls in Purgatory</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the 1800s, the practice of offering prayers for souls in Purgatory became particularly prevalent during All Souls Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1960s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inclusion in Liturgical Calendar</div><div class='timeline-text'>All Souls Day was included in the liturgical calendar of the Second Vatican Council, firmly established within the annual cycle of the Catholic Church.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present Day</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Interfaith Observance</div><div class='timeline-text'>Today, All Souls Day is recognized by multiple Christian denominations as well as by individuals of varied faiths as a day to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate All Souls Day

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a cemetery</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to a local cemetery and honor the memory of those who have passed away. Spend some time reflecting on the lives of those that have gone before you and remember them in your own special way.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Light a candle</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Light a candle in remembrance of your loved ones who have passed away. Place the candle somewhere special and spend some time thinking about them. You can also say a prayer or recite a poem.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Send a card</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Send a card or letter to someone who has lost someone close to them. Let them know that you are thinking about them and share your condolences for their loss.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plant something</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Plant something in memory of your loved one – a tree, flower, or even just some herbs in a pot – and dedicate it to their memory. This will be a living reminder of them and their life.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend Mass</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Attending Mass on All Souls Day is one of the best ways to remember those who have passed away. Spend some time praying for them, saying prayers for their souls, and reflecting on the lives they had.</p></div></div>

Why All Souls Day is Important

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day of remembrance</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>All Souls Day is a day for remembering and honoring those we have lost. It is an important tradition that allows us to remember our loved ones and pay tribute to them in meaningful ways such as prayer, meditation, and offerings.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It reminds us of eternal life</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>All Souls Day is a reminder that death is not the end but rather just the beginning of our eternal journey. Through commemoration on this special day, we are reminded of our everlasting bond with those who have gone before us, as well as the promise of eternal life that awaits us all.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It helps promote healing & closure</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Grieving can be a difficult process for many people, but All Souls Day provides an opportunity for those who are mourning to take part in rituals that bring peace and healing. Whether you choose to light a candle, say a prayer or visit the gravesite of a loved one, All Souls Day gives you the space to honor those you've lost and come to terms with their passing.</p></div></div>

5 Unveiled Mysteries of All Souls Day

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>All Souls’ Day traditions involve symbolic foods</h3><p class='facts-text'>In many parts of the world, there are foods explicitly associated with All Souls’ Day. These include soul cakes in England, Day of the Dead Bread in Mexico, and All Souls Day bread in Portugal, which are believed to bring luck or even absolution.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>All Soul's Day is also known as the "Day of the Dead"</h3><p class='facts-text'>Not to be confused with Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, which occurs during the same period, this term refers often to All Souls’ Day. The holiday is about celebration and remembrance, rather than fear and sorrow.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Holiday goes by different names worldwide</h3><p class='facts-text'>All Souls’ Day is known under a variety of names across cultures. For example, in Poland, it's 'Zaduszki,' in Italy it's 'Commemorazione dei Defunti,' and in the Philippines, it's 'Araw ng mga Patay.'</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>All Souls Day incorporates pre-Christian customs</h3><p class='facts-text'>Although All Souls’ Day originated in the Christian faith, it is likely that preexisting pagan customs heavily influenced the holiday's development, such as the Celtic festival of Samhain.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>The popular tagline "memento mori" is often associated with All Souls Day</h3><p class='facts-text'>"Memento mori," a Latin phrase which translates to "remember death," often plays a significant role in All Souls' Day, acting as a poignant reminder of human mortality and the importance of valuing our earthly time.</p></div></div>

All Souls Day FAQs

When is All Souls Day?

All Souls Day is celebrated on November 2 every year. In 2024 All Souls Day will occur on a Saturday.

All Souls Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Nov 2

Thursday

2024

Nov 2

Saturday

2025

Nov 2

Sunday

2026

Nov 2

Monday

2027

Nov 2

Tuesday

Religious Holidays