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All Saints’ Day: what Catholics celebrate on 1 November
All Saints’ Day is the solemnity on which the Catholic Church celebrates, every 1 November, everyone who is already with God in heaven: the canonized saints and also the countless unknown saints whose names no one remembers. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday and, as a solemnity, it is celebrated in place of the ordinary Sunday.
What does the Church celebrate on 1 November?
The communion of saints: the bond between us who are still pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and those who already see God (Catechism, 954–959). The saints intercede for us (Catechism, 956) and are “a great cloud of witnesses” showing that holiness is possible (Hebrews 12:1).
The feast is also a reminder that every Christian, in every state of life, is called to holiness (Catechism, 2013).
Where does the feast come from?
- Around 609: Pope Boniface IV dedicates the Pantheon in Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the martyrs, on 13 May.
- 8th century: Gregory III dedicates a chapel in St Peter’s Basilica to all the saints, and in Rome the date moves to 1 November.
- 9th century: Gregory IV extends the 1 November feast to the whole Church.
What are the Mass readings?
- First reading: Revelation 7:2–4, 9–14. A great multitude that no one could count.
- Psalm: Psalm 24.
- Second reading: 1 John 3:1–3. We are God’s children now.
- Gospel: Matthew 5:1–12. The Beatitudes.
The liturgical colour is white.
Is it the same as All Souls’ Day?
No. On 1 November the Church celebrates those already in heaven. On 2 November it prays for all the dead who are still being purified before they see God (Catechism, 1030–1032).
Is it a holy day of obligation?
In the Church’s universal law, yes (Code of Canon Law, canon 1246). Each bishops’ conference can remove the obligation or move the feast to a Sunday, so it depends on the country. In 2026 there is no question: it falls on a Sunday, and Mass is an obligation everywhere.
Mustard Seed #1 comes out on 1 November
Five prompts about the Bible, the saints and the Church, 30 seconds each. The rarer your correct answer, the more it’s worth.
How to play →Frequently asked questions
- Do you have to be canonized to be a saint?
- No. Canonization is the Church’s solemn declaration that a person is in heaven and can be held up as a model and intercessor (Catechism, 828). Many saints will never be canonized, and they are celebrated on 1 November too.
- What does it have to do with Halloween?
- The name comes from “All Hallows’ Eve”, the eve of All Saints: the night of 31 October, before the solemnity.
- What can a family do on the day?
- Go to Mass, read the life of each person’s patron saint, pray for the family’s dead and get ready for 2 November.