Every November 2, the Catholic Church observes All Souls’ Day, also known as the Day of the Dead or the Day of the Faithful Departed, honoring those who have died and are believed to be purifying in purgatory the effects of their sins before enjoying the presence of God. All Catholic churches dedicate the liturgy of that day to encouraging the faithful to pray for the eternal rest of the dead.
The observance dates to the year 998, when the Benedictine monk Saint Odilo of Cluny proposed creating a day to honor the dead, specifically to pray for the souls of ordinary people who had lived good lives. The Diocese of Lieja adopted the idea in the year 1000, and Rome adopted the celebration in the 16th century, spreading it among Catholics worldwide.
It became the third and last day of Allhallowtide, after All Saints’ Eve and All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated on November 1 and is a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church. On the day, thousands of people visit cemeteries, offer prayers and attend Mass. In Puerto Rico, visits to cemeteries take place, and groups organize to accompany families who arrive at cemeteries, bringing them messages of consolation and hope. The Christian meaning of the day is hope in the Resurrection.