Introduction

On All Souls’ Day, the Church gathers to pray for the faithful departed, remembering all who have died and seeking God’s mercy for their souls. This day, which follows the Feast of All Saints on November 1, reflects the Church’s belief in the communion of saints and the power of prayer for those in purgatory, asking for their purification and eventual entrance into the fullness of eternal life with God. Through this solemn celebration, we honor Christ’s victory over death and reaffirm our hope in the resurrection.

Interestingly, the Mass for All Souls’ Day does not have a single set of assigned readings; instead, the Lectionary offers a wide selection of readings from which the celebrant can choose. This flexibility allows the readings to be adapted based on pastoral judgment, the needs of the community, and the particular circumstances of the commemoration.

The readings below are those listed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as the readings for this celebration.