No All Soul’s Day Mass at Calvary this year

It is always a joy when the family and friends of Calvary Catholic Cemetery are able to gather at Mass to pray for the faithful departed. But, as All Soul’s Day (November 2) falls on Sunday this year (2014), the annual outdoor Mass will not be held at Calvary.

Since many of the faithful will be attending Mass at their home parishes they still have the opportunity to gain a Plenary Indulgence on All Soul’s Day for their loved ones. And one Plenary indulgence is available each day from November 1 through November 8. Though we are encouraged to pray year around for souls, the Church places emphasis on remembering the faithful departed in the month of November.

A Plenary (full) Indulgence is available on November 2 by visiting a church, receiving the sacrament of confession within eight days thereof, receiving Holy Communion and offering prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father. The Church defines a Plenary Indulgence as the removal of “all temporal punishment due to sin.” (Catechism: 1471)

In addition, one Plenary Indulgence may be obtained each day from November 1 through November 8 by visiting a cemetery to reflect and pray for souls and complying with the three requirements above.

Partial Indulgences are always available for souls through our prayers year around. There is nothing more beneficial that we can do for our departed loved ones than to “pray without ceasing,” as St. Paul encourages us to do. By making daily prayer offerings for souls in the month of November we begin a good habit that we can carry forward into and through the new Church year.

See Catholicculture.org for further information on these indulgences.