Catholic Cemeteries Host Outdoor 'Cemetery Sunday' Services

CHICAGO – Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago will host Cemetery Sunday outdoor rosary and prayer services at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

All Saints Day, which falls on Nov. 1, honors all saints, both known and unknown. All Souls Day, celebrated on Nov. 2, commemorates those who have passed away. The services will be held at 17 cemetery locations. Guests were welcome to bring their own chairs, as seating will not be provided for the 30-minute services.

Signs will direct visitors to the area where the service will be held. Cemetery staff will also be available to answer questions and to assist visitors in finding grave locations. Each cemetery will have a digital booklet sharing the names of those buried between Oct. 15, 2022 through Oct. 15, 2023.

Families can also sign a digital memorial remembrance book to include their deceased loved one’s name and a special message so they can be remembered in daily prayers throughout the coming year.

The National Catholic Cemetery Conference established the first Sunday in November as a day set as Cemetery Sunday in 1978 as a day set aside to pray for the deceased and visit the graves of loved ones.

All outdoor rosary and prayer services will take place at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5, unless specified. Participating Southland cemeteries include:

Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery
6001 W. 111th St., Alsip

Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery
16201 S. 104th Ave., Orland Park

St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery
4401 W. 111th St., Chicago

Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery
2755 W. 111th St., Chicago

St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery
4600 W. 135th St., Crestwood

St. Mary Catholic Cemetery
87th Street and Hamlin Avenue
Evergreen Park

Resurrection Catholic Cemetery
7201 Archer Ave., Justice

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
801 Michigan City Road, Calumet City