University Celebrates Universal Call to Holiness with All Souls Day Celebration

11/01/2019

The Saint Louis University community is called to remember and celebrate the lives of departed friends and family as SLU holds its annual Memorial Mass on Monday, Nov. 4. The celebration honors two traditional feast days in the Catholic Church’s religious calendar that honor the lives of those dear to us – All Souls Day and All Saints Day.

All Souls Day, coming after All Hallows Eve (Oct. 31) and All Saints Day (Nov. 1), is a day to thank God for those we have loved and to honor our relationship with them, Sr. Virginia Herbers, ASCJ, director of spiritual formation in the Office of Mission and Identity Office, said.

“All Souls Day is a time to remember the friends and family who have preceded us in death, and whom we still miss in our lives,” Sr. Virginia said. “We honor what they meant to us by telling stories and keeping their memories alive.”

The Memorial Mass is typically held on All Souls Day, which falls on Nov. 2. This year, all members of the SLU community are invited to attend the annual Memorial Mass at noon on Monday, Nov. 4, in St. Francis Xavier College Church. Fr. Chris Collins, S.J., Assistant to the President for Mission & Identity, will preside and give the homily.

The Solemnity of All Saints, also known as All Saints Day, honors the saints of the Catholic Church who have reached Heaven. That includes saints formally recognized by the Church and those souls who are in Heaven. 

“We have a universal call to holiness, to strive for perfection, but none of us are perfect,” Sr. Virginia said. “All Saints Day honors those who are in Heaven and have realized God’s dream for us.”

All Souls Day is a day to thank God for those closest to us who have died.

“There is more of a distance between the living and the saints, whereas we maintain our relationships we those we knew and loved,” she continued. “We maintain our relationships and our bonds across the threshold of death.”