All Souls’ Day 2023: Date, History, Significance – Every year, All Souls’ Day is observed on November 2 across the world to help ease the suffering of people who have died without having been saved and whose souls are believed to be in purgatory. The day is a centuries-old tradition in Western Christianity to celebrate this day by attending mass, offering prayers and sacrifices, and lighting candles.
As per Roman Catholicism, the day’s role is performing prayers for the faithful departure of souls. The day comes after All Saint’s Day, which is celebrated by conducting a feast to pay tribute to the saints.
All Souls’ Day 2023: History
In the 11th century, Saint Odilo of Cluny formalised the day after All Saints’ Day – All Souls’ Day, as the time to pray for the unsaved who had passed on, for all members of monasteries dependent on the Abbey of Cluny.