Solemnity of All Saints
"Saints make a difference, and that difference is that they embody the Spirit, virtues, values, and message of Jesus." - Bishop James Ruggieri
Ob the Solemnity of All Saints, more commonly known as All Saints’ Day, Catholics celebrate the saints, both known and unknown. We honor all those who have been faithful disciples of Christ and who now rejoice in God’s presence.
The saints inspire us and give us a model of Christian living to follow. On All Saints’ Day, we reflect on our own call to holiness and give thanks to God for the graces he has given us and the promise of eternal life that awaits us. While our communion with fellow Christians brings us closer to Christ, our communion with the saints joins us to Christ (CCC 947).
In the early Church, remembrance of the saints focused on martyrs. Early Christians wanted to make sure those who died for their beliefs were not forgotten. From at least the fourth century, the Eastern Church had a festival honoring saints, and in the early seventh century, Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon of Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs.
About 100 years later, Pope Gregory III established the date as November 1 when he consecrated a chapel to all the martyrs in St. Peter’s Basilica and ordered an annual celebration. Originally, the November 1 feast was only celebrated in Rome, but in the eight century, Pope Gregory IV extended it to the entire Church.
All Saints' Day is a holy day of obligation. However, the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated in 2025 because the solemnity falls on a Saturday. Nonetheless, some parishes have Saturday morning Masses planned to venerate and pray to the saints.
Celebrations
All Saints Parish, Brunswick
The Young Adult Ministry at All Saints Parish will hold an All Saints Party on Friday, October 31, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Young adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to come for an evening of food, fun and games, a saint costume contest, and pumpkin carving. RSVP [email protected] for location and further details.
Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bar Harbor
Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor - An All Saints Day Mass seeking the intervention of St. Carlo Acutis will be celebrated at 8 a.m.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Westbrook
St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street, Gorham - A Mass in commemoration of All Saints' Day will be celebrated at 9 a.m.
St. John Paul II Parish, Scarborough
St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough - Children will be dressing up as their favorite saints for a gathering following the 5 p.m. Mass.
St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Bangor
St. John Church, 207 York Street, Bangor - Mass at 9 a.m.
Resources
Auspice Maria - Bishop James Ruggieri on All Saints' Day
