As November nears, the Diocese of Grand Rapids tweeted to its parishes that both the Solemnity of All Saints and the feast of All Souls are quickly approaching. 

Neither of the days are Holy Days of Obligation, but both provide an excellent opportunity for the faithful to practice their Catholic faith. 

“Just a week away, the Solemnity of All Saints (Nov. 1) and the feast of All Souls (Nov. 2) are an opportune time to ask for the intercession of St. Joseph, known as the patron saint of dying and “Delight of the Saints,” the Grand Rapids Diocese tweeted. 

On the Solemnity of All Saints, Catholics take time to remember and celebrate the lives of holy men and women who have been beatified or canonized. While the day is normally a day of obligation, this year it is not, as it will fall on a Monday, according to the Diocese. 

On All Souls’ Day, the Catholic Church as a whole participates in a prayer for those who have departed and are awaiting entry to heaven in purgatory. Prayers that the living on earth offer up can help to cleanse and intercede for the souls of those in purgatory, according to Britannica.

St. Joseph is the patron saint of dying a peaceful death as tradition holds he was comforted by his spouse Mary and Jesus while he passed away from this life, according to Faith Magazine.