November 1-8 and the Month’s Dedication to the Holy Souls, by Jennifer Gregory Miller

By Jennifer Gregory Miller, Catholic Culture, Oct 30, 2025

Jennifer Gregory Miller is a wife, mother, homemaker, CGS catechist, and Montessori teacher. Specializing in living the liturgical year, or liturgical living, she is the primary developer of CatholicCulture.org’s liturgical year section. See full bio.

Revised and updated from the original posted November 1, 2013:

November 1 begins the unofficial “All Saints Octave”: the eight days of November 1 to November 8. Each day of the “octave” one can earn a plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory. A visit to the cemetery to pray for the dead can earn a “get out of jail free” card for a soul in Purgatory!

I love this time of year, not because of the fall season or pumpkin spice lattes (which I dislike), but because I feel a special closeness with all our brothers and sisters of the Mystical Body of Christ, particularly the departed brothers and sisters. In our daily lives we can easily forget the people who are no longer with us on earth, but they are still closely connected with us. Jesus used images of His Body and also the Vine and Branches to remind us how we remain with Him always, and interconnected with all the faithful, whether we are the Church Militant on earth, working to reach heaven, the Church Suffering waiting to go to heaven after being purged in Purgatory or the saints in Church Triumphant who are enjoying the beatific vision of God in heaven. The Church dedicates the month of November to the Holy Souls in Purgatory; we are especially reminded to pray for the dead—family, friends, acquaintances, enemies, leaders, stars, etc. It reminds us of their presence and their connection with us. …