All Souls' Day is observed across the world by several Christian communities on November 2. It's also popularly referred as Day of the Dead. Although, All Souls Day is predominantly catholic event the idea of praying for the departed souls is not new in cultures of the globe.
In India, the majority Hindu community observes for a period of over a week 'pitarpak' which is also a period dedicated to the departed. Similarly, there are traditions in other religions and cults too. The concept of soul is omnipresent.
All Souls' Day Meaning
As the name suggests it's a day for the souls. Most Christian communities remember the departed on this day in various ways and forms. The idea behind the remembrance is quite simple -help elevate the souls trapped in between to God's heaven.
There's a concept pertaining to after life in Christianity which says a soul is destined to go to only one of the three places based on its deeds -the top most heaven, the in between purgatory and the dreadful hell. Please note this concept is dominant only in the Roman Catholic Church. There are several sections amidst christianity which do not embrace this concept of purgatory.
The idea is, you are either saved or doomed.
The entire concept of All Souls' Day has to do with purgatory where it's told the lesser sinners suffer so that their souls can be cleansed and processed further.
It is believed when the relatives pray for the souls on November 2, the prayers help elevate the souls from purgatory to heaven where they can finally rest in peace.
How is All Soul's Day celebrated?
All Souls' Day is celebrated in different ways in America, Mexico, Europe and pockets of India. But one common practice is to light candles in memory of the departed souls.
Sending out prayers is another popular way of observing this event. In several faithful communities family members organize a feast for the dead. The tradition is to keep the room warm, light the fireplace and set the table with delicacies.
It is believed the food reaches the souls when you leave the room in such comfortable setting.
Another very prominent way of remembering the departed is by visiting the graveyard, cleaning and organizing flowers over the stones.
In India also, the festival is observed in various styles in Goa, Kerala and Shillong.
Whatever the method, the idea behind each is the same -helping the departed souls and telling them you still care.
All Souls Day Wishes 2021
The day of the dead reminds one of the grief and tears the departed have left behind but one must also not forget the day is meant to do good for the dear ones who are trapped in purgatory. It is about their happiness.
And when there's such joy and betterment attached with a day, it must not be kept confined. Here are some All Souls' Day wishes 2021 that you may forward to people you care about and tell them you are paying too for those who are gone.
- I wish strength for you and your family and peace for the one who has departed.
- May this All Souls' Day finally take all those deserving souls to heaven and shower peace upon them.
- Those loved ones who have left us can never be replaced and the sorrow is immense but the least we can do for them is pray. And I want you to know I am together in heart and soul in all your prayers.
- The whole they have left in our lives can never be filled but what we can do is fill our hearts with love, compassion and prayers for those souls who were once a part of our lives.
- Let's take out a few hours this All Souls' Day and reach out to those who have left us and tell them we care. It can surely make a difference.
- What if those who have departed are still listening to us? Imagine how happy they would feel when we remember them in our prayers and wish all the happiness in the universe for them!
All Souls' Day Quotes in English
Quotes are real and powerful. We all have the experience of how some quotes manage to reach our soul. We just need to find the right words to pull that string inside us.
These thoughtful and heart touching All Souls' Day quotes in English are not from the Bible but you might find them reaching deep into you. Feel free to share or upload as a status.
- We all agree on one thing - we couldn't do enough for them when they were here. Let's not have the guilt of not doing even a bit for them when they are gone.
- Souls don't put up a sham ever. They are the light that resides in all human beings. Let's make sure this All Souls' Day 2021 that our love and affection reaches those souls who are no longer with us.
- We have the choice. We can all be forgotten when dead or set a trend where all those departed are forever remember in prayers. Let's take this All Souls' Day message to all fellow humans.
- Those flowers you offer at the graveyard may or may not reach the departed but it does reach your conscience as it screams to you to not forget those who once really cared for you.
- We all have something to say, there's always something that is left unsaid. I want you to know that prayers and energies are real. Pray and believe with all your energy and it might just reach the ones you so darely miss.
All Souls' Day messages for loved ones
You have it inside you right? You wanted to tell them so many things but either lack of courage or simply procrastination kept you from saying. And now when they are not there, you feel it's too late and regret. Perhaps it's true that it's late but maybe just maybe they are still listening to you from up above. Would you not care to give a try?
Here are some All Souls Day messages for loved ones -parents, lovers, siblings and friends that you use in your prayers and send out those energies of love and care.
- How dare you ditch me and leave just like that? We were to walk this path together. Anyway, I just want you to know I am there with you always, not in person but in heart and soul.
- I stopped being the kid I was the day I lost you. I just want you to know you were my world and in my mind you still are.
- Everything is so different without you. It seems life has stopped. But I promise I won't let you down and make the most of this life before we meet in heaven again.
- I can't say if there is heaven but I can surely say a person as amazing as you can not just stop existing. You are too precious for that. And wherever your soul is I want it to know I miss you a lot.
- I don't need an All Souls' Day to remember you. You are a part of me and will always be. There's no forgetting you no matter what.