The month of November, traditionally dedicated to remembrance of the dead, begins with All Saints’ Day on November 1^st, the Church Triumphant, followed by the commemoration of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, All Souls’ Day, November 2^nd. Whilst the Church has allocated these specific days on the calendar, she has dedicated the whole month of November to the remembrance of our faithful departed. It is an important reminder for the members of the Church to pray for the dead and offer masses for the repose of their souls.

“From the beginning the Church has honoured the memory of the dead

and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice,

so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God”. – CCC 1032

There are various traditions that the members of the Church should take part in, aside from praying for the dead, one can visit the graves of loved ones and attend mass on the feast of the Holy Souls in Purgatory on 2^nd of November          (a plenary indulgence can be gained under certain conditions), so that “our offerings for the dead [may] bring them some consolation[.]” - CCC1032

For more information visit this website, https://melbournecatholic.org/news/all-saints-day-and-all-souls-day, and come to St Mary’s Star of the Sea to fill out a Mass Request Envelope for your departed loved ones found in the foyer of the church.

Mass times 1^st and 2^nd of November:  7:00am & 12:30pm