Friends of the Rosary,
Tomorrow, November 1, is the solemnity of All Saints, and today, October 31, is the Eve of All Saints, commonly known as Halloween. In England, saints or holy people are called “hallowed,” hence the name “All Hallows’ Day.”
Pope Sixtus IV, in 1484, established November 1 as the feast of All Saints, a holy day of obligation, and assigned both a vigil, “All Hallows’ Eve” or “Hallowe’en”. However, the current missal does not have a vigil Mass for the feast. And Halloween is not a liturgical feast on the Catholic calendar.
The three consecutive days — Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day — illustrate the Communion of Saints.
The Church Militant — that is, we, those on earth, striving to get to heaven — rejoices and honors the Church Triumphant — the saints, canonized and uncanonized in heaven. And we ask for the Saints’ intercession.
The Church Militant prays also for the Church Suffering — those souls in Purgatory — especially on All Souls Day and during the entire month of November.
Halloween is a combination of the preparation for and celebration of two upcoming feasts. This feast has been adopted by the secular world, with all the demonic and witchcraft imagery, but the roots of the celebration are firmly grounded in Catholic tradition.
Ave Maria!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
To Jesus through Mary!
Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Please give us the grace to respond with joy!
+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York
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• October 31, 2025, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET