All Hallows' Eve

The Catholic Church has dedicated the entire month of November to the Holy Souls in Purgatory since the first millennium. During this entire month we pray for the souls of the faithful departed, especially those whom we have known and loved. November 1st was sometimes called Hallowmas (Hallow = holy/saint; mas = short for Mass), or All Hallows. Its origins were practical: With all the great martyrs and saints of the early Church, there weren’t enough days in the year to honor them all. All Hallows was a catch-all day. The Vigil for this important feast, October 31