All Saints

All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. All Saints' Day was formally started by Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs on May 13 in 609 AD. Boniface IV also established All Souls' Day, which follows All Saints. The holy day was eventually established on November 1 by Pope Gregory III in the mid-eighth century as a day dedicated to the saints and their relics.

We will celebrate All Saints Day here at SMS on November 1. The day will begin with mass, and there will be an "All Saints" theme in classes that day. In an effort to learn more about the Saints, students may dress up as their favorite Saint that day as well. To give you ideas, I recommend Googling "saint costume ideas", there are lots of good, inexpensive ideas out there.  If any costumes are elaborate, or have props, they will need to leave them in the classroom until mass is over. Of course, it is not mandatory to dress up, and if your child chooses not to, they should still come  to school in uniform. This is just a fun way to learn more about the Saints!