What is All Saints' Day? Everything to know about the ancient Catholic holy day
Wednesday is All Saints' Day for Roman Catholics and other Christians. It honors all saints of the church deemed to have attained heaven.
And for Ohio Catholics, it is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning the Catholic faithful are expected to attend Mass.
So what do you need to know about the Catholic holy day? Here's a look.
What is All Saints' Day?
All Saints' Day is an ancient holy day on the Roman Catholic calendar. It was officially started by Pope Boniface IV in 609 A.D., who also established All Souls' Day. All Souls' Day, unlike All Saints' Day, commemorates and honors all the dead.
The dates were later moved to the modern ones in the eighth century, according to The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The Catholic All Saints' Day tradition celebrates everyone who has entered heaven, including saints recognized by the Church and those who are not.
What is a saint?
Saints are “persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation," according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Some saints you may know, such as Saint Francis or Saint Nicholas, but the Roman Catholic Church actually recognizes over 10,000 saints throughout the world.
Should Catholics go to Mass on All Saints' Day?
Generally speaking, All Saints' Day is a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation, meaning all healthy Catholics are required to attend Mass on that day, which is also the case in Ohio Catholic dioceses. Most Catholic parishes offer one or more Mass on All Saints' Day.
Other Christian denominations, such as Lutherans, Anglicans and Methodists, also celebrate All Saints' Day.
The Eastern Catholic Orthodox All Saints' Day falls on the first Sunday after Pentecost (typically in June).
What is the difference between All Saints' Day and All Souls’ Day?
The first two days in November are part of the two-day celebration of the Communion of Saints, for those who are believed to be with God in heaven and those who are on their way to heaven. All Souls' Day, unlike All Saints' Day, commemorates and honors all the dead.
All Souls' Day, taking place Nov. 2, 2023, is typically not considered a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What is All Saints' Day? Everything to know
