All Souls' Day

Crusaders Embarking for the Holy Land, Galleys Row Them out from the Shore to the Sailing Ship Giclee Print
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All Souls' Day

The 2nd of November, so called because Catholics on that day seek by prayer and almsgiving to alleviate the sufferings of souls in purgatory. It was instituted in the monastery of Cluny in 993.

According to tradition, a pilgrim, returning from the Holy Land, was compelled by a storm to land on a rocky island, where he found a hermit, who told him that among the cliffs was an opening into the infernal regions through which huge flames ascended, and where the groans of the tormented were distinctly audible. The pilgrim told Odilo, abbot of Cluny, of this; and the abbot appointed the day following, which was November 2nd, to be set apart for the benefit of souls in purgatory.