November, Month of Remembrance for the Faithful Departed
The Communion of Saints
In November, the Church reflects on the Communion of Saints, the unity between:
• The Church Triumphant: saints in Heaven
• The Church Suffering: souls in Purgatory
• The Church Militant: faithful on earth
As Pope St. Paul VI expressed in Credo of the People of God:
“We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in Heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and His saints is always [attentive] to our prayers” (CCC, 962).
All Saints Day – November 1
The Solemnity of All Saints celebrates the holy men and women in Heaven, both known and unknown. This feast traditionally begins the Octave of All Saints, November 1-8.
All Souls Day – November 2
The Commemoration of All Souls, or All Souls Day, is dedicated to prayer for all the dead, especially those in Purgatory. Scripture reminds us of this duty:
“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins” (2 Macc. 12:46).
Offering the Holy Mass is the greatest help, but our prayers, sacrifices, and indulgences gained can also relieve the suffering of the Poor Souls.
Indulgences for the Faithful Departed
An indulgence is “the remission before God of the temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven as far as their guilt is concerned” but reparation for the effects of that sin still needs to be made. An indulgence (our acts and prayers) help that reparation. There are many indulgences, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, that can be obtained during the month of November.
The prayers are particularly directed for the souls who are being purified in Purgatory, waiting for the day when they will join the saints in Heaven.
Plenary Indulgences
(applicable only to souls in Purgatory)
can be gained from November 1 to 8 (only one per day) by:
• Visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed.
• On All Souls Day (2 Nov), visiting a church and reciting an Our Father and the Creed.
Partial Indulgences
(applicable only to souls in Purgatory)
can be gained throughout November (only one per day) by:
• Visiting a cemetery and praying mentally for the dead.
• Reciting prayers such as “Eternal Rest.”
Eternal Rest Prayer
“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
This prayer can also be added before meals:
“Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord. Amen. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
How to Gain an Indulgence
An indulgence removes temporal punishment due for forgiven sins. To gain a Plenary Indulgence (only one per day):
• Be in a state of grace, detached from all sin (even venial).
• Go to Confession and receive Holy Communion.
• Pray for the Pope’s intentions (Our Father and Hail Mary is suggested).
One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.
