The Solemnity of All Saints, also known as All Saint’s Day, is a Christian tradition established to pay homage to all saints, recognized and anonymous alike. Urban IV emphasized its importance, stating that it compensates for any potential shortcomings in the veneration of saints’ feasts throughout the year. In early Christian practices, anniversaries of martyrs’ deaths for Christ were solemnly commemorated at their martyrdom locations.

By the fourth century, the practice evolved as neighboring dioceses exchanged feast days, shared relics, and collectively celebrated saints. St. Basil of Caesarea’s invitation to the bishops of Pontus in 397 is a notable example of this practice. Often, groups of martyrs would be commemorated together, especially during Diocletian’s persecution, when the sheer number of martyrs made individual commemorations impractical. Recognizing the need to venerate each martyr, the Church designated a shared day for their commemoration. The earliest record of this practice is found in Antioch, observed on the Sunday following Pentecost. References are also found in the writings of St. Ephrem the Syrian in 373 and in the 74th homily of St. John Chrysostom in 407.

Initially, the Church only dedicated special days for martyrs and St. John the Baptist. As the process of canonization became more structured, more saints were added to the calendar. By 411, the Chaldean Calendar already had a “Commemoratio Confessorum” scheduled for the Friday after Easter. In the West, Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all martyrs on 13 May, 609 or 610, establishing an annual commemoration. Gregory III, between 731 and 741, dedicated a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica to all saints, setting 1 November as their feast day. Notably, there was already a tradition of commemorating a basilica of the Apostles in Rome on 1 May. Gregory IV later extended the 1 November celebration to the entire Church, solidifying the observance of All Saints’ Day as we know it today.

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21 COMMENTS

  1. to all saints sna po mtpos n problema ko s mga gmot risdin rivotril syclops xanor serenace akidin sna wla n bmulong kalain bakekang panget pg umiinim ako gmot umaga at gabi pls sna mtpos n problema ko s mga gmot umaga at gabi sna wg n tmambay s lbas cla gami aldrin chris kalbo pls sna tmhmk n pristina sna wg n kmi mgkailangan ni pyt wg n rn sna sya mglakwatsa sna umuwi n sya maaga plgi sna january p umalis c kuya emil sna bmli sya sskyn sna wg nko mhilo mtnta matense sna wg nko guluhin ng taong nkkslmuha ko pls sna tantanan n ni caca lily pmilya ko pls sna mwla n bad spirit gmugulo s isip s bhy n to ptwd po s mga kslanan ko amen

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  3. Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God,
    today we rejoice in the holy men and women
    of every time and place.
    May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love
    We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

  4. All holy men and women, martyrs, saints and angels, pray for us.
    Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and Saint Joachim, pray for us.
    Saint Thérèse of Lisieux of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, pray for us. Answer my novena to the Holy Face with the exact number and colour of roses that I have requested in my heart, if my prayer intentions and petitions are pleasing to God the Father Almighty. May Our Lady, Mary Mother of the Church, pour graces through her humble hands for the sake of her Son. His will be done. Amen.
    Ecce Crucem Domini!
    Fugite partes adversae!
    Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
    Radix David! Alleluia!
    Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us. For Italy.
    Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us. For Rome.
    Blood of Christ Crucified, cleanse the Vatican.
    Amen.

  5. Lord Jesus Christ, your death and resurrection brought life and hope where there was once only despair and defeat. Give us unwavering faith, unshakeable hope, and the fire of your unquenchable love that we may know you fully and serve you joyfully now and for ever in your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

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