All Souls’ Day Masses and services planned around Maine

November 2 is the Commemoration of All the Faithful departed, better known as All Souls’ Day. It is a day on which Catholics pray for the souls of those who have died and are still in purgatory, being prepared for eternal life in heaven. Through prayer, we believe that we remain connected to our deceased loved ones until the time when we will be with them once again.

“In God, we can help with our prayers and our good works those who have died. And they, in turn, can bring our intentions and needs before God. This gives us a reason to hope, even in our feelings of loss,” said Bishop Robert Deeley.

The bishop will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance on Thursday, November 2, at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, during which the names of the parishioners of the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes who died within the past year will be read.

It is one of many Masses and services planned around the diocese. Along with Masses of Remembrances, including some that will be held by candlelight, prayer services are planned at 11 cemeteries. A list of gatherings can be found here.