Southland Catholic Cemeteries Celebrate 'Cemetery Sunday'

CHICAGO – Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago will host Cemetery Sunday outdoor rosary and prayer services at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, in observance of All Saints’ Day, which is Nov. 1, and All Souls’ Day, which is Nov. 2. The services will be held at 17 cemetery locations.

Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs, as seating will not be provided for the 30-minute services. Upon arrival, visitors will follow signs directing them to the location of the prayer service. There will be additional cemetery personnel available to answer questions and to assist visitors in finding grave locations.

Each cemetery will have a digital booklet sharing the names of those who were buried in the cemeteries from Oct.15, 2021 through Oct. 15, 2022. 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.

“Our rosary and prayer services observing All Souls’ Day are an opportunity for many of us to remember and commemorate our loved ones not only in prayer but in sharing stories and memories of them,” said Rev. Larry Sullivan, priest director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

In 1978, the National Catholic Cemetery Conference proposed that the first Sunday in November be designated as Cemetery Sunday, a day set aside to pray for the deceased and to visit the graves of loved ones.

Locally, outdoor services will be held at:

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

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleums
801 Michigan City Road, Calumet City

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

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

Resurrection Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleums
7201 Archer Ave., Justice

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

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

St. Mary Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleums
87th St. & Hamlin Ave., Evergreen Park