All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day
Seasons and Saints is a weekly devotional blog by the Reverend Susan Montague-Koyle Drawing on liturgical notes and the commemorations of the saints, Rev. Susan offers teaching and inspiration for Anglicans across Algoma and beyond.
We have seven Principal Feasts on our Christian calendar, and All Saints’ Day (November 1) is one of them. All Souls’ Day (November 2) is not.
This has important liturgical implications for how and when we celebrate them. All Souls’ Day is a Memorial — which means it does not, under any circumstances, replace the usual Sunday feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why am I being so forceful about this? Because November 2 falls on a Sunday this year. (And please don’t combine the two—there is no such thing as an “All Saints’/All Souls’ combo.”)
You are perfectly welcome to have an additional Sunday worship service—perhaps Evening Prayer—as an All Souls’ memorial. However, when All Souls’ falls on a Sunday, it is typically transferred to a different day of the week altogether.
All Saints’ Day
As mentioned, there are seven “Principal Feasts” in our Church. One of them, All Saints’ Day, is right up there with Christmas and Easter, and has a specific date for celebration: November 1.
All Saints’ Day is named as one of the four “particularly appropriate” days of our entire church calendar for the celebration of baptism (the other three are Easter—especially the Vigil—Pentecost, and the Baptism of the Lord) [Book of Alternative Services, p.146–147].
Even if there is no baptism, it is traditional for congregations to renew their baptismal vows.
According to the Anglican Church of Canada, All Saints’ Day is to be celebrated on its actual day. However, if a parish wishes to celebrate it during the Sunday Eucharist, that celebration is done “in addition to its observance on the fixed date” and “on the Sunday following 1 November” (BAS p.15).
Why Is All Saints’ Day So Important?
Beginning in the 4th century, the churches of the East began observing a day to celebrate “the feast of the martyrs of the whole world.”
These saints are Christians who, often against great odds, showed extraordinary love for Christ. The Holy Spirit acted in their lives so that they brought aid to the needy, justice to the oppressed, hope to the sorrowful, and the divine word of forgiveness to sinners.
“For the sake of Christ they were servants to the people of their day; and the service they rendered in the past makes them examples to the rest of the people of God throughout history.”
— For All the Saints, p.328
The Connection Between All Saints’ and Baptism
Through the mystery of baptism, we participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, reconciling us with God. The martyrs of the Church are those who, like Christ, endured physical suffering and death for their belief.
In the Revelation to John, the Church understands these martyrs—robed in their white baptismal garments—as being with God, awaiting with us the fullness of God’s kingdom on earth as in heaven (see Rev. 6:9–11).
Since, in baptism, we become part of the communion of saints, we believe that as we pray, they pray with us. Together we are bound in mutual service and ministry, working “to help others become partners in the salvation of God.” (For All the Saints, p.328)
For Your Devotions
Tuesday, October 28 – St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles
We know little about these apostles, but both are thought to have been part of the Zealots—the Jewish nationalist group opposed to pagan Rome.
Simon is mentioned only in the apostolic lists, while Jude (also called “Judas, not Iscariot”) asks Jesus in John’s Gospel why He will reveal Himself only to the disciples and not to the world.
More: Franciscan Media – Saints Simon and Jude
Wednesday, October 29 – James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, and His Companions, Martyrs (1885)
James Hannington served briefly in England before hearing of two missionaries murdered near Lake Victoria. After being consecrated bishop, he arrived there in 1885—only to be martyred, along with his companions, by order of King Mwanga of Uganda.
His courage inspired many; further Ugandan martyrs are commemorated on June 3.
More: For All the Saints – p.320
Thursday, October 30 – John Wycliffe (d.1384) and Jan Hus (d.1415), Reformers
Wycliffe and Hus questioned the wealth and power of the Church and believed that all people should have access to Scripture in their own language.
Wycliffe’s English translation of the Bible sparked reform movements across Europe. Hus, his follower, was burned at the stake, and his death inspired a Czech rebellion for religious freedom.
More: fsmitha.com – The Church and Reform
Friday, October 31 – Saints of the Reformation Era
Today we remember all—Anglican and Roman Catholic—who suffered and died in the name of faith during the Reformation. We remember with humility and repentance, acknowledging that both sides, believing themselves “right,” committed great wrongs.
More: Malcolm Guite – English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era
Saturday, November 1 – All Saints’ Day (Principal Feast)
One of the Church’s seven Principal Feasts, All Saints’ may be celebrated on its fixed date or the Sunday following. It is also one of four Principal Feasts designated as appropriate for baptisms.
On this day, we celebrate all saints—known and unknown—who now dwell in the full presence of God.
Did you know? “All Hallows” was the medieval English name for this day, making its eve “All Hallows’ Eve,” which we now know as Halloween!
More: Britannica – All Saints’ Day
In Christ,
Rev. Susan Montague Koyle