Seasonal changes always seem to amplify the Church’s liturgical calendar, and fall is no exception. The crisp air, trees ablaze with color, and gathering dead leaves all orient us towards this time in the Church to reflect on all the passing glories of the world. It’s as if all the world is a tangible reminder of the transient glories of the world, and the heavenly destiny for which we are called.

Understandably, many find death an unsettling topic— one to avoid thinking about, one to fear. Catholics, contrarily, are called to ponder death and all its mystery. Far from a topic to avoid, we’re called to look at it with hope. We memorialize this call to ponder its mystery throughout the month of November and especially on the celebration of All Souls’ Day on November 2.

On All Souls’ Day, we reflect on the Church’s faithful who have passed on and are in the process of reorienting themselves as they continue their pilgrimage to Heaven. We, the faithful on earth, are called to pray for our beloved ones in purgatory. As St. Padre Pio said, “We must empty purgatory with our prayers.”

On All Souls’ Day we resist the urge to look at death exclusively as loss and sorrow, and reflect on it with hope— hopeful that our prayers will urge our loved ones in Purgatory to Heaven, hopeful that our lives can mimic those of the Saints in heaven when we die, and hopeful for the unity with Christ it can bring to us all. Here are 5 ways to celebrate this liturgical feast.

Pray-
Not sure where to start with praying for the dead? Try this Purgatory Prayer attributed to St. Gertrude the Great:

Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen.

You could also pray the Office for the Dead, a prayer cycle of the Liturgy of the Hours, the series of prayers that all religious throughout the world pray daily, for the repose of the dead. It is the proper reading on All Souls’ Day for all souls in purgatory.

Go to Mass-
While it’s not a holy day of obligation, the Mass on All Souls’ Day is a beautiful way to commemorate your loved ones who have passed. The solemn Mass is rich with imagery befitting the loved ones we wish to remember—the vestments are black or violet, flowers are removed from the church, the altar is adorned simply with candles, and the accompaniment is understated and reflective. Parishes bring out the Book of the Names of the Dead on this day for visitors to sign the names of their loved ones who have passed. It’s a wonderful way to help your parish community pray for those you would like remembered.

Visit a cemetery-
It’s not a common practice to go to a cemetery unless for a burial, but there is a rich tradition in the Church of visiting cemeteries on All Souls’ Day, and it’s a practice well-maintained throughout the world. In the Philippines, families share a meal at the site of their loved one’s burial. In Poland, a procession from the church to the cemetery is the practice for the 3 days they set aside to commemorate the dead. In Mexico, decorating their loved ones’ graves with flowers, pictures and favorite meals is the practice. Historically, when most American churches had their own cemeteries attached, the faithful would process from the Church through the cemetery for a walking rosary. Consider making your own walking rosary at a local cemetery. Pick the grave of someone you don’t know and include them in your prayers for the month of November. The Church offers a plenary indulgence to the souls in purgatory to the faithful who visit a cemetery and pray from November 1 through November 8.

Share a meal-
Another common practice for Catholics throughout the world is to celebrate All Souls’ day by holding a remembrance lunch or dinner. Many throughout the world will cook their deceased loved ones’ favorite meals and share them with family members. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the life/ves of their loved ones and share favorite memories or stories. This is a beautiful tradition you can continue in your own home. Cook your grandmother’s famous secret pasta, your father’s favorite bread loaf, or order a friend’s favorite meal from a restaurant. Pull out some old photo albums and reflect.

Another way many throughout Europe commemorate the feast is baking Soul Cakes, a biscuit-like cake that is sweetened with fruit, flavored with spices and marked with a cross on top. The tradition dates back to the Medieval period when the cakes were handed out to poor people who went around offering to pray for peoples’ souls in exchange for food. Find the recipe here.

Make a home altar-
If you or your family have already created a space in your home to be a home altar, the month of November is an excellent time to include photographs or mementos of the deceased loved ones you would like to remember in your daily prayers. If you don’t have a home altar, All Souls’ Day is a perfect opportunity to put a space together for the month of November. Catholics in Ireland will light candles next to their loved ones’ photographs. In Mexico, the faithful create ofrendas. Keep it simple by putting photographs of your loved ones in a space where you are most likely to pray as a reminder to include them in your prayers.