Written by the Christianity.com editorial staff.
All Souls’ Day, also recognized as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead, is a holiday of prayer and memorial for the souls of those who have died…Faiths and customs affiliated with All Souls’ Day range broadly among Christian denominations…The foundation of All Souls’ Day for a general intercession on November 2 is due to Odilo, abbot of Cluny, who died in 1048. The observed date, which became essentially universal before the end of the 13th century, was determined to follow All Saints’ Day…In contemporary Western Christianity, the annual celebration is held on November 2nd and is part of the season of Allhallowtide that includes All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and its eve, Halloween (October 31st)…This prayer reminds us that those who die in faith live in Christ:
O eternal God and Father, you are not the God of the dead but of the living, and all who put their trust in you, who rest in their chambers under the earth, live in you. Be merciful to us, dear Father, do not let us be afraid of the power and sting of death, but keep us in the true faith in your dear Son, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Uphold us with your Holy Spirit, and give us a clear conscience, that we may live our Christian lives, and finally fall asleep in peace and joy when we leave this valley of tears, and rest in peace until you open our graves and awaken us with the sound of the last trumpet; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. [Psalm 23:3]
