This day is dedicated to prayer and remembrance for all the faithful departed who may still be in Purgatory, undergoing purification before entering Heaven. The Church offers Masses and special prayers to hasten their journey into eternal life. It is a powerful expression of the communion of saints, where the living and the dead are united in Christ. Traditionally, people visit cemeteries and light candles for their loved ones. It follows All Saints’ Day and completes the focus on the afterlife.
November Feasts and Celebrations
November 1
THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS
NOVEMBER 2
THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS’ DAY)
NOVEMBER 3
SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES
Born in Lima, Peru, to a Spanish nobleman and a freed African woman, Saint Martin de Porres faced racial discrimination but devoted his life to humility and service. As a Dominican lay brother, he cared for the sick, poor, and abandoned, founding an orphanage and distributing food and medicine. He is known for miraculous healings, deep prayer, and love for animals. Saint Martin de Porres is the patron saint of social justice, racial harmony, and mixed-race people. His life is a witness to charity in action.
NOVEMBER 4
SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO
A cardinal and Archbishop of Milan, Saint Charles Borromeo was a key figure in the Counter-Reformation and one of the great reformers following the Council of Trent. He implemented major reforms in clergy training, founding seminaries, and promoting catechesis. He lived a life of austerity, dedicating himself to the care of his flock, especially during plagues and famines. Saint Charles Borromeo’s leadership helped restore discipline and spirituality in the Church. He is the patron of bishops and catechists.
NOVEMBER 9
THE DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA
This feast celebrates the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, the cathedral of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. Though often mistaken for St. Peter’s, it is the oldest and most important of the major basilicas. It is known as the “Mother and Head of all churches in the city and worldwide.” This celebration reminds the faithful of the unity and universality of the Church, built upon the apostles and centered on Christ.
NOVEMBER 10
SAINT LEO THE GREAT, POPE AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Pope Leo I was Bishop of Rome during the 5th century and is among the popes who have been named Doctors of the Church. He was a strong defender of faith, particularly against heresies like Nestorianism and Monophysitism. His famous Tome helped clarify the nature of Christ at the Council of Chalcedon. He also courageously persuaded Attila the Hun to spare Rome. His writings deeply shaped Church doctrine and papal authority.
NOVEMBER 11
SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS
A former Roman soldier who converted to Christianity and became a monk, Saint Martin of Tours is best known for cutting his military cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar, later revealed in a vision to be Christ Himself. He became Bishop of Tours and spent his life spreading Christianity across Gaul (modern France), living simply, and serving the poor. He was one of the first saints who was not a martyr. Saint Martin of Tours is the patron of soldiers and conscience-based service.
NOVEMBER 12
SAINT JOSAPHAT
A 17th-century bishop and martyr from Eastern Europe, Saint Josaphat worked for unity between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. As Archbishop of Polotsk, he defended the Union of Brest, which brought part of the Eastern Church into communion with Rome. Saint Josaphat’s efforts toward unity were met with opposition, resulting in his death during an encounter with a crowd. He is regarded as a figure who exemplifies dedication to Christian unity and serves as an emblem of ecumenical resolve.
NOVEMBER 13
SAINT FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI, VIRGIN
Mother Cabrini, originally from Italy, was the first person from the United States to be canonized. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and worked tirelessly to aid Italian immigrants in the United States, establishing schools, hospitals, and orphanages. Despite poor health, she traveled extensively to serve the needs of the poor. She is the patron saint of immigrants and hospital administrators, known for her practical love of Christ through service.
NOVEMBER 15
SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
A Dominican friar, bishop, and Doctor of the Church, Saint Albert was a leading scholar of the 13th century and a teacher of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He excelled in theology, philosophy, and the natural sciences, earning the title “Doctor Universalis.” He helped bridge the gap between faith and reason, integrating Aristotelian thought with Christian theology. His work laid the foundations for the Scholastic method. He is the patron saint of scientists and philosophers.
SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY
NOVEMBER 17
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was a princess known for her deep compassion, humility, and devotion to the poor. Married to Louis IV of Thuringia, she used her royal position to care for the sick and hungry, even building a hospital where she personally served the needy. After her husband’s death, she dedicated her life entirely to charity and prayer. She was canonized in 1235 and is the patron saint of bakers, widows, and charitable organizations.
NOVEMBER 18
THE DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES
This feast commemorates the dedication of two of the most important churches in Christendom, built over the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul. It honors their witness and foundational role in the Church. These basilicas in Rome are symbols of the apostolic tradition and the unity of the universal Church. The feast encourages Catholics to reflect on their faith’s roots and the cost of discipleship.
NOVEMBER 21
THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
This feast commemorates the tradition that Mary was presented in the Temple in Jerusalem as a child, dedicated to the Lord by her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne. Though not found in Scripture, the event symbolizes Mary’s total consecration to God from an early age. The Church celebrates her purity, obedience, and role in salvation history. It invites believers to renew their own dedication to God.
NOVEMBER 22
SAINT CECILIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
One of the most venerated Roman martyrs, Saint Cecilia, is known as the patroness of music. Tradition holds that she sang to God in her heart during her wedding and while facing martyrdom. She died after refusing to renounce her faith during Roman persecution. Her steadfast faith and association with music have inspired composers and artists through the centuries. Saint Cecilia reminds us of the harmony between faith and beauty.
NOVEMBER 23
THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, is known as a powerful feast day; it falls on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time before the following Sunday of Advent. The solemnity was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI with the intention of emphasizing the central role of Jesus Christ.
NOVEMBER 23
ANDREW DŨNG-LẠC
Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc was a Vietnamese priest martyred for his faith in the 19th century. He represents over 100 Vietnamese martyrs, who included priests, laypeople, men, women, and children, all who suffered brutal persecution for remaining faithful to Christ. Their courage under torture and execution is a powerful witness to the strength of faith. The feast honors religious freedom and the universal call to holiness.
NOVEMBER 25
SAINT CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA VIRGIN AND MARTYR
Catherine, a young woman associated with early Christianity, is reported to have influenced the beliefs of others, including philosophers, through her knowledge and communication skills. She was condemned to death by the wheel, which miraculously broke, and was eventually beheaded. Though some details are legendary, she has long been honored as a model of faith, intellect, and courage. She is the patroness of students, philosophers, and young women.
