In line with the commemoration of all the dead, when the darkness comes up – candles are lighted. According to the belief of pagans, the souls of the dead return for a meal with the family. Candles are place in the window and others are set at the table. It is believed to be that the candle in the window serves as a guide of the soul way back home. The children asking for foods symbolizes the dead, but then distributes these foods among the hungry.
Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922) made clear the essence of All Souls Day by granting all priest the privilege of celebrating three masses on All Souls Day: one for the faithful departed, one for the priest’s intention, and one for the intentions of the Holy Father. On only a handful of other very important feast days are priests allowed to celebrate more than two Masses.
All Souls Day is the holy day to honor dead also known as “The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed” which is annually celebrated every November 2 (sometimes transferred to November 3 in the Roman Rite). It was originally celebrated in the Easter season, close to Pentecost Sunday. However, by the influence of the Benedictine and Carthusian Religious order, the Church stated to associate All Souls Day with All Saints Day.
Yesterday is dedicated to those who reach and attained heaven, now we commemorate who have died and not yet reached heaven. According to the Catholic Belief, the soul of a person who dies can go in one of the three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies is in state of perfect grace and communion with God goes and souls are purified before death. The second is hell, where those who die is in state of mortal sin. The third and the intermediate option is purgatory, where a person who die is free from mortal sin and in a state of lesser (venial) sin.
Visiting a church and a cemetery are attached to All Soul’s Day. These are the two plenary indulgences which removes all of the temporal punishment for sin. Today, as we commemorate our friends, families, and love ones who have died, let us take time to visit their tomb and if it seems that visiting them is not possible, just light a candle and pray that may their soul rest in peace.
Lester de Castro
Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
To those who know him, no words are required. To those who do not, no words will suffice. Lester R. de Castro is a “scholar ng bayan” at Polytechnic University of the Philippines taking up Accountancy, Business, and Management. Lester belongs to his batches’ "Cream of the Crop" dominating to a remarkable vision of the future. Currently, as a website writer of DSPNSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, the talents and skills he received from the Almighty above are being used and shared not only for his own good but for the good of others as well. He believes that in life, God must be the center who guides us towards the right path.
