All Souls' Day
"The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God." - Wisdom 3:1
November 2 is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, often referred to as All Souls' Day. On this day, we pray for the souls of those who have died and are still in purgatory, being prepared for eternal life in heaven. We believe that we remain connected with members of the Church after death and that we can help those souls in purgatory through our prayers. Praying for the dead is one of the spiritual works of mercy.
Below you will find some Masses, services, and other commemorations of All Souls' Day. The listings below are in addition to the regular weekend Mass schedule.
Parish Masses and Services
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland
Bishop James Ruggieri will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance on Thursday, November 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street in Portland.
Christian Life Center, Frenchville
A Mass of Comfort in memory of deceased loved ones will be held at the Christian Life Center, 444 U.S. Route One in Frenchville, on November 7 at 6 p.m. All are welcome. The Mass will be followed by coffee, company, and snacks.
Holy Family Parish, Greenville
Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue, Greenville - First Saturday Devotion will be held at 8 a.m.
Our Lady of Hope Parish, Portland
St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland - An All Souls' Day Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 2. People are invited to bring to church a small picture of your loved ones as a reminder of the presence of the saints as we pray.
Parish of the Holy Savior, Rumford
St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue, Rumford - Mass at 8 a.m. followed by prayers at St. John's Cemetery. At the cemetery, the names of parishioners who passed away within the past year will be read.
Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Old Town
Holy Family Church, 429 Main Street, Old Town - Latin Low Mass at 8 a.m. and Latin High Mass at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 2.
St. Ann Church, 84 Main Street, Bradley - A Mass of Remembrance for all those whose funerals were celebrated in the parish the past year will be celebrated on Monday, November 4, at 6 p.m.
Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston
Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, Lewiston - The Psalterium Institute presents Vespers for the Dead, chanted evening prayer followed by sacred choral music for contemplation, on Saturday, November 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, 122 Ash Street in Lewiston.
Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus Street, Lewiston - The St. Anne Sodality Prince of Peace Parish of Holy Family Church will hold a memorial Mass on November 19 at 6 p.m.
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, Camden
Our Lady of Good Hope Church, 7 Union Street, Camden - During the Saturday November 2, 4 p.m. Mass, the names of the deceased of the parish will be read while family members will light candles in remembrance of them.
St. Bernard Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland - Our Lady of Good Hope Church, 7 Union Street, Camden - During the Saturday November 2, 6 p.m. Mass, the names of the deceased of the parish will be read while family members will light candles in remembrance of them.
St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court Street, Belfast - During the Sunday, November 10, 8:30 a.m. Mass, the names of the deceased of the parish will be read while family members will light candles in remembrance of them.
St. John Paul II Parish, Scarborough
St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Broadway, Scarborough - An All Souls Holy Hour will be held at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church on Sunday, November 17, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton
St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 76 Sewall Street, Houlton - All Souls' Day Mass at 9 a.m.
St. Matthew Parish, Limerick
St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane, Limerick - A Mass of Remembrance to honor those who died in the parish in the past year will be held on November 4 at 5 p.m. During the Mass, the names of those who had a funeral Mass at the parish during the previous year will be read aloud, followed by a moment of silence.
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Machias
Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street, Machias - All Souls' Day Mass at 8:30 a.m.
St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Norway
St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street, Norway - All Souls' Day Mass at 9 a.m.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Sanford
Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue, Sanford - A Mass of Remembrance to honor those who died in the parish in the past year will be held on November 7 at 6 p.m. During the Mass, the names of those who had a funeral Mass at the parish during the previous year will be read aloud, followed by a moment of silence.
Cemetery Prayer Services
Coughlin Cemetery, Rockland
An All Souls' Day Rosary will be prayed at Coughlin Cemetery in Rockland on Saturday, November 2, at 10 a.m. At the service, the names of St. Brendan the Navigator parishioners who have died within the past year will be read. The service will be followed by fellowship at the Sacred Heart Center.
Holy Family Cemetery, Augusta
St. Michael Parish will hold an All Soul's Day prayer serve at noon at Holy Family Cemetery on Townsend Road in Augusta. During the special service, prayers will be offered for all parishioners who have died since last November.
St. John's Cemetery, Rumford
The Parish of the Holy Savior will hold a Mass at St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue, at 8 a.m., after which a prayer service will be offered at St. John's Cemetery on Isthmus Road. At the cemetery, the names of parishioners who passed away within the past year will be read.
St. Peter's Cemetery, Lewiston
Middle and high school teens along with their families are invited to Evening Prayer and the Office of the Dead on All Souls' Day, Saturday, November 2, at 6 p.m. in the mausoleum of St. Peter's Cemetery on Switzerland Road in Lewiston. Together, participants will pray for the souls of the faithful departed, and there will be a unique opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence.
