Vatican City, Oct 31, 2019 / 15:21 pm
It is fitting for Catholics to go to confession on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and to pray for the dead, the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary said in a letter published Oct. 29.
"Therefore, let us go, indeed run to the confessional in these holy days! We humbly and devoutly, joyfully and generously welcome the gift of the plenary indulgence and offer it, with great generosity, to our brothers, who, having crossed the threshold of time, can no longer do for themselves, but can still receive much from our charity," said Cardinal Mauri Piacenza in the letter, which was originally published in Italian.
Piacenza leads the Vatican's Apostolic Penitentiary, which deals with sacramental dispensations, indulgences, and the removal of excommunications. He said Catholics should take advantage of the sacraments during these days, and should offer prayers for those who are deceased.
All Saints Day is celebrated on Nov. 1, and is a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States. It honors all souls in heaven. The following day is All Souls Day, which is celebrated for the souls of all the faithfully departed.