Opinion

Jane E Sullivan

November 1, 2026 — 5:25am

In the Western Christian calendar tomorrow – 2 November – is All Souls’ Day. It is the day the church remembers the souls of the faithful departed.

All Souls’ Day follows All Saints’ Day, and before it the preparatory All Hallows’ Eve on 31 October. It concludes a time of commemoration and thanksgiving.

Saint Augustine of Hippo lived a life of sin before his conversion, famously asking to be delivered from temptation – but just not yet.

“Saints” in early Christian tradition was a general and inclusive term for all members of the faith community. Over time customary usage came to refer to a rarefied group of exceptional individuals, officially recognised by the church.…