All Saints Day honors the saints in Heaven – those who have been recognized by the Church as saints, as well as those who have not been canonized. The feast was established in Rome as a result of the emperor’s giving of the Pantheon (the temple to all the gods) to the Church and its dedication to St. Mary and All the Martyrs. This followed the principle, “Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!” (Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands). Thus, throughout the Mediterranean many churches have been built over pagan sites, sanctifying them for Christ. The Church celebrates All Saints Day on November 1.

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. As Revelation 21:27 says of the Heavenly Jerusalem, “… nothing unclean shall enter in.”

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