As we enter this short but sacred liturgical season from October 31 to November 2, we invite you to join us in remembering, celebrating, and praying during the three‐day period known as Allhallowtide (also called Hallowtide or Allsaintstide). This short season runs from October 31–November 2 and carries its own distinct character for each day.


October 31 – Vigil of All Saints (All Hallows’ Eve)

On October 31 the Church observes the vigil of All Saints’ Day, commonly called All Hallows’ Eve (or Halloween). In the traditional liturgy this day is treated with a penitential spirit: purple vestments are used, marking a time of preparation and watchfulness. This vigil invites us to reflect on the “last things” — death, judgment, heaven, and hell — and to ready ourselves to celebrate the saints who have triumphed in Christ. Remember, in the traditional calendar, vigil days observed by penance where fasting and abstincence are appropriate. (It helps that this year, the vigil falls on a Friday anyway.)


November 1 – All Saints’ Day

November 1 is the solemn feast of All Saints, when we honor both the canonized saints and the countless holy men and women known only to God. The liturgical color is white or gold, symbolizing victory and the glory of heaven. The faithful are called to rejoice in the communion of saints, the Church Triumphant, and to ask for the intercession of those who already enjoy God’s presence.

November 2 – All Souls’ Day

On November 2 we observe All Souls’ Day, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. The traditional liturgical color is black, a mark of mourning and prayerful remembrance. On this day the Church Militant on earth prays especially for the Church Suffering — the souls in purgatory — that they may be purified and enter into eternal life. In the traditional calendar, this year’s feast gets bumped to Monday, because it’s considered a “commemoration of the dead”, which is not a high enough holy feast day to supplant or replace Sunday’s liturgy, in which we commemorate the Resurrection.

Catholic Roots of Halloween and This Triduum

While modern culture often treats Halloween as a secular or even spooky holiday, the truth is that it is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. (This in no way endorses the way in which the modern world treast Halloween, though!) The word “Halloween” itself comes from “All Hallow’s Eve” — the evening before All Saints’ Day. The three days together form the triduum of Allhallowtide: October 31 (vigil), November 1 (All Saints), and November 2 (All Souls). In other words, one cannot divorce the secularl holiday of Halloween from the Catholic feast of All Saints Day.

Far from being merely pagan, this observance centers on the Catholic belief in the communion of saints, the reality of eternal life, and the bond between the living, the dead, and the saints.

Familial Obervance at Home

In this season you might emphasize visiting cemeteries, lighting candles, and praying for the dead, attending Masses on these feast days, and reminding one another of the hope we have in Christ. Let us use these days to remember that we are part of a vast family in Christ — the living (the Church Militant), the departed (the Church Suffering), and those already in glory (the Church Triumpant).