By Charles Igwe
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has released official liturgical guidelines to direct the commemoration of All Souls’ Day, which will be observed on Sunday, November 2, 2025. The guidelines are aimed at ensuring a unified and meaningful celebration of the feast across parishes in accordance with the norms of the Church.
In a circular signed by Rev. Fr. Augustine Olusegun Fasiku, Director of the Pastoral Affairs Department at the CSN, the Secretariat noted that All Souls’ Day supersedes the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, as indicated in the liturgical Ordo.
The document outlines key liturgical provisions for the celebration. Priests are to wear purple (violet) vestments, and the Gloria and Creed will be omitted during Mass. The readings, Collect, and Preface are to be drawn from the Commemoration of All Souls, reflecting the Church’s solemn remembrance of the faithful departed and the Christian hope of eternal life.
The circular further instructs that the Prayers of the Faithful should follow the intercessions provided on page 225 of the CBCN-approved Prayer of the Faithful Book. In keeping with Church tradition, three Masses are to be celebrated on All Souls’ Day:
- The first Mass for a particular intention (stipend accepted).
- The second Mass for all the faithful departed.
- The third Mass for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Funeral Masses are permitted on this day, and parishes are encouraged to use appropriate hymns befitting the solemn occasion.
Concluding the directive, Fr. Fasiku expressed hope that the guidelines would “assist in the worthy celebration of All Souls’ Day,” urging all priests and the faithful to observe the feast with reverence and unity.
The circular was dated October 29, 2025, and issued under the authority of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
