November 2nd is the day that the Church dedicates to the commemoration of the faithful deceased, who is simply also called by the people “celebration of the dead”. But even in the daily mass, the liturgy always reserves a small space, said Memento, Dominewhich means “remember, Lord…” and offers universal prayers of suffrage for the souls of all the deceased in Purgatory.
The Church, in fact, is always a mother with her children and wants to feel them all present in a single embrace. Therefore pray for the dead, as for the living, because they too are alive in the Lord. For this reason we can say that the maternal love of the Church is stronger than death. Furthermore, the Church knows that “nothing impure will enter into it”. The liturgical color of this commemoration is purple, the color of penance, waiting and pain, also used in funerals.
William-Adolphe Bouguereau, The Day of the Dead (1859)
What is the meaning of this anniversary?
The commemoration of the faithful departed appears already in the 9th century, in continuity with the monastic custom of the 7th century of dedicating a complete day to prayer for all the deceased. Amalarius, in the 9th century, already placed the memory of all the deceased after those of the saints who were already in heaven.
It is only with the Benedictine abbot Saint Odilo of Cluny that this date of November 2 was dedicated to the commemoration of all the faithful deceased, for whom Saint Augustine already praised the custom of praying even outside of their anniversaries, precisely so that those without suffrage would not be overlooked.
The Church has always been particularly faithful to the memory of the deceased. Christian hope finds its foundation in the Bible, in the invincible goodness and mercy of God.
«I know that my redeemer is alive and that he will stand last in the dust!», Job exclaims in the middle of his tormented story. Dissolution into dust is therefore not the final destiny of man, but rather, having passed through the darkness of death, the vision of God. The theme is taken up with expressive power by the apostle Paul who places the death-resurrection of Jesus in a non-separable succession. The disciples are called to the same experience, indeed their entire existence bears the stigmata of the Paschal mystery, is guided by the Spirit of the Risen One. This is why the faithful pray for their deceased loved ones and trust in their intercession. Finally, they have the hope of joining them in heaven to join the elect in praising the glory of God.
Why are the deceased remembered the day after the Solemnity of All Saints?
In the Christian’s profession of faith we affirm: “I believe in the holy Catholic Church, in the communion of Saints”. By “communion of saints” the Church means the togetherness and life together of all believers in Christ, both those who still work on earth and those who live in the other life in Heaven and Purgatory.
In this life together the Church sees and wants the flow of grace, the exchange of mutual help, the unity of faith, the realization of love. From the communion of saints comes the exchange of mutual help between believers walking on earth and believers living in the afterlife, both in Purgatory and in Paradise.
Furthermore, the Church, in the name of the same sonship of God and, therefore, brotherhood in Jesus Christ, favors these relationships and also establishes strong moments during the liturgical year and in daily religious rites.
Why was the date of November 2 chosen?
In the convent of Cluny lived a holy monk, Abbot Odilo, who was very devoted to the souls in Purgatory, to the point that all his prayers, sufferings, penances, mortifications and masses were applied for their liberation from purgatory.
It is said that one of his brothers, returning from the Holy Land, told him that he had been thrown by a storm on the coast of Sicily; there he met a hermit, who told him that he had often heard the cries and sorrowful voices of the purgative souls coming from a cave together with those of the demons who cried out against him, Abbot Odilo.
Hearing these words, he ordered all the monks of his Cluniac Order to set November 2nd as the solemn day for the commemoration of the deceased. It was the year 928 AD. C. Since then, therefore, every year the “feast” of the dead is celebrated on this day.
Since then that day has represented a pause in life for everyone to remember with a certain nostalgia the past, lived with our loved ones that time and death have taken away, the good that those who preceded us on earth have left to humanity, and their contribution to the increase of faith, hope, charity and grace in the Church.
What does the Roman Martyrology say?
With the Commemoration of all the faithful deceased, the Church is already eager to celebrate with due praise all her children who rejoice in heaven, takes care to intercede with God for the souls of all those who have preceded us in the sign of faith and have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection and for all those whose faith, since the beginning of the world, only God has known, so that purified from every stain of sin, having entered into the communion of celestial life, they may enjoy the vision of eternal bliss.
What are the main celebrations of this day?
According to the Roman Ritual, «in many ways parish communities express this sense of Christian hope. To commemorate all the faithful deceased it is customary to go in procession to the Cemetery and on this occasion to bless the tombs. In this or similar circumstances it is appropriate to promote a celebration with a specific blessing rite”
What are “cakes of the dead”?
It is tradition in Europe and especially in Italy to prepare special desserts in the days surrounding November 2nd, which often recall this anniversary in their name or that of a bone in their shape and consistency. Another recurring reference is to the fingers, while the horse-shaped dessert is probably linked to the legend of Proserpina.
Even today in some Italian towns, on the night between 1st and 2nd November, these desserts are placed on laid tables, certain that they will be frequented by their deceased. The desserts of the dead contain simple ingredients such as flour, eggs, sugar and flavourings; finely chopped almonds or sometimes even chocolate, jam and candied fruit are often present.
These desserts are present, with a few variations, as homemade, artisanal or pastry preparations almost everywhere in the Italian peninsula and the names given are similar from North to South, leaving aside the dialectal forms.
