So on October 31st, it’s a fun night of trick or treat for the children (and some adults) in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. But the origin came from the Solemnity of All Saints, or All Hallows’ Day.

The Solemnity of All Saints is celebrated on November 1st. It is a day the Church celebrates all the saints of the church who have attained heaven.

The solemnity had origins by Pope Boniface IV who consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs on May 13 in 609 AD. Pope Gregory III during his pontificate consecrated a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to all the saints and made and placed it on the calendar for November 1.

Holy Days of Obligation

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains holy days of obligation this way:

On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.

In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Holy Days in the Liturgical year are:

December 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mother Mary
December 25: The Nativity of the Lord
January 1: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
August 15: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
November 1: Solemnity of All Saints.

These days in modern nomenclature can be seen as Holy Days of Opportunity!

If the Solemnity of All Saints occurs on a Saturday or Monday, there is no obligation to go to Mass. However, the Solemnity is still celebrated.

Dates of the Solemnity of All Saints

2019: Friday, November 1
2020: Sunday, November 1
2021: Monday, November 1
2022: Tuesday, November 1
2023: Wednesday, November 1

Ways to celebrate with your family:

Have everyone at the dinner table pray to their confirmation saint and discuss why they chose that saint.

It’s a great opportunity to read the Gospel from Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”