Western Church marks All Saints' Day on November 1, followed by All Souls' Day
The gist
All Saints' Day is observed on November 1 in the Western Church, with All Souls' Day November 2.
The two days anchor a season of remembrance for saints and departed loved ones.
How it unfolded
- 609 or 610Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the martyrs, establishing an annual commemoration.
- 8th centuryPope Gregory III fixed a celebration of all saints on 1 November at Rome, dedicating a chapel to them in St. Peter's Basilica.
- After Gregory IIIPope Gregory IV extended the observance to the whole Church, and it spread throughout Emperor Charlemagne's empire.