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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
November 1 was established as All Saints’ Day by Pope Gregory III in the 8th century.
All Saints’ Day is a feast that celebrates the countless holy men and women who now live in the presence of God. This includes not only those officially canonized by the Church, but also the many faithful souls who remain unknown to most of us, but who lived virtuous lives and persevered in faith.
As the Church began to grow, early Christians honored the followers of Christ. The practice is rooted in a long-standing Jewish tradition of honoring holy people with shrines. From the earliest days of Christianity, believers honored those who gave their lives for Christ. The first to be remembered was St. Stephen, the deacon who became the Church’s first martyr. He was accused by the Sanhedrin of blasphemy and was stoned to death. In the centuries that followed, Christians who suffered persecution and death under Roman emperors were also revered. Their witness strengthened the faith of the Church.
By the year 100 A.D., Christians were honoring their fellow believers who had given their lives for Christ. Evidence from the writings of the early Church Fathers, like St. Cyprian, and inscriptions on tombs, shows requests made to the saints for intercessory prayer.
In 609 A.D., Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs, establishing May 13 as a day of commemoration. Later, Pope Gregory III (731–741) expanded the feast to include all saints and moved the celebration to November 1, where it remains today.
The saints show us what it means to follow Christ. Their lives were often marked by extraordinary signs of God’s intervention and grace through miracles, mystical experiences, or heroic martyrdom. However, they are remembered primarily for their deep faith, charity, and perseverance. The Church honors them as intercessors and models of Christian living.
On the Feast of All Saints Day, the Church reminds us of our own call to holiness. The saints were real people who struggled, suffered, and attained holiness. Every Christian is called to live a life of virtue, seeking union with God and drawing strength in Him. Let us thank God for the grace that allowed the saints to live such heroic lives and ask Him for the courage to follow in their footsteps.
The Roman Empire heavily persecuted the early Christian Church for the first two centuries. Christians were often persecuted when local incidents occurred. They were targeted for refusing to worship the Roman gods and the Emperor. This disobedience was seen as a refusal to offer allegiance to the state.
For this reason, many Christians would try to stay out of sight. They often would gather secretly in homes of believers or in the catacombs, where many Christian martyrs were buried. Large-scale persecutions happened under specific emperors, including Nero, Domitian, and particularly during the rule of Decian, Valerian, and Diocletian. The final and most widespread persecution was under Diocletian in the early 4th century.
In 313, the Emperor Constantine had a vision before going to a crucial battle. He saw a Cross and received assurance of victory under that sign. After he was victorious in the battle, he passed the Edict of Milan, which legalized the Christian religion, allowing Christians to worship freely. In 380, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire. Eventually, Bishops and other Church leaders gained civil dignity and political roles, becoming influential figures within the government.
When we ask for the intercession of the saints, we know God is the One who answers our prayers. We can always pray directly to the Lord, of course, but why not also turn to those whom Christ has given a share in His own Kingship (Revelations 20:4-6)? Just as loved ones can pray for us on earth, our holy brothers and sisters in Heaven can pray to the Lord for us. The difference is that the saints have already “run the race” (1 Corinthians 9:24), share in the Beatific Vision, and are no longer able to sin.
This eBook combines stunning photography from EWTN’s Vatican Bureau along with Bible passages and saints’ quotes that will calm your heart, give you hope, and remind you that God is with us always. Simply fill out the form below and we will send this to you!
All Saints’ Day honors recognized and uncanonized saints, established in Rome when the Pantheon was dedicated to St. Mary and All Martyrs.
All Saints’ Day and the Pantheon
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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