Our Lady of Victory Church

All Saints and All Souls

All Saints Day | November 1st
Holy Day of Obligation

Masses 12:15 PM and 7:00 PM

 The custom of keeping a festival in honor of all the saints first appeared in the churches in the East for all the martyrs of the early church whose names were known only to God – men and women put to death for the faith in the many persecutions of the first and second centuries.  In the Western church, a variety of dates were kept, at first, for commemorating these martyrs.  The origin of keeping a feast for all the saints on November 1^st is, however, unclear.  We do know that as far back as the 700’s most western churches were celebrating at least one feast each year to remember the courageous witnesses in the early church.  In the mid-800’s, the Roman church began celebrating the martyrs on  November 1^st and other regional churches slowly followed suit.  Whatever the history, Catholics have, for    centuries, remembered the canonized and un-canonized saints on November 1st.  It’s our special day to pray to the saints who are officially canonized and all those in heaven, the un-canonized saints -- many of whom are relatives, friends, coworkers and associates.  The saints are those who were extraordinary witnesses of Christ in their lifetimes.  They now rejoice in the presence of God and their lives, and often their writings, can teach us important lessons.  The saints also intercede for us here on earth when we ask for their help and their achievement spurs us on to join them one day.  Let us honor these exemplary followers of the Lord on this All Saints’ Day and every day of our lives.

All Souls Day | November 2nd
Commemoration of the Faithful Departed

Mass 12:15 PM 

We will read the names of our Faithful Departed from OLV and OLS who have passed in from November 3, 2021-November 2, 2022.

You can gain an indulgence on All Soul’s Day

On All Souls’ Day, November 2^nd, Catholics can gain a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory or for their own beloved dead.  To gain the indulgence, one must visit any Catholic church on that day, have the intention of gaining the indulgence, recite one Our Father, the Creed and some prayers of your choice for the Holy Father.  The person should be in the state of grace, receive Holy Communion and   Confession near the time of the visit to the church. You must make an intention to offer the indulgence for a specific person, if you choose. On all days from November 1st through November 8^th inclusive, a    plenary indulgence can be gained, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, when one visits a cemetery and prays for all the faithful departed.  The same   conditions above apply.