Novena For All Souls

This Hallowtide pray for the dead and celebrate the countless (named and unnamed) saints in Heaven over the course of nine days. Including All Hallows Eve, All Saints & All Souls Day.

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The solemnity of All Saints was also known as All Hallows (hallow simply means ‘holy'). Prior to the 1955 liturgical reforms, there was such a thing as Hallowtide, a kind of ‘triduum' that began with All Hallows Eve (October 31st).


While the Easter triduum revolves around the death and resurrection of Christ, this triduum was centered around the eternal destiny of our own souls.

The vigil of All Hallows Eve was instituted by Pope Sixtus IV, who also turned it into an octave—a celebration lasting eight days, in AD 1484.

It was the beginning of a liturgical celebration that turned people's minds towards the dead—not only to the saints in heaven but also to the suffering souls in purgatory.

All Hallows also introduced a month of special prayers for the dead. The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, All Souls.

The Church is composed of the faithful living upon the earth and those who have gone before us. The latter includes the saints in Heaven and the faithful souls being purified in Purgatory. 

Just as on November 1st we honor those who are with God, on November 2nd Catholics celebrate a Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. Also known as All Souls' Day, on this day we honor them for their fidelity in life, as well as pray for them since they are being purified before entering the All Holy Presence of God. 

Novena prayer

Prayers For All Souls

In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace. Our Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.