the faithful departed
ancestor intermediate Christian single tradition · 1
The faithful departed are the souls of deceased Christians who, upon death, have not yet been fully cleansed of venial sins or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, and thus are temporarily excluded from the Beatific Vision. According to Catholic doctrine, the living faithful can assist these souls through prayers, almsgiving, and especially the celebration of the Mass. This belief underlies the observance of All Souls' Day.
When
- First attested
- 500 CE
- Attested period
- 500 – 2020
- Historical notes
- The commemoration of the faithful departed was observed in Benedictine monasteries by the sixth century CE.
Sources
encyclopedia (1)
- peer reviewed
Source passages
“the souls which, on departing from the body, are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, are debarred from the Beatific Vision, and that the faithful on earth can help them by prayers, almsdeeds and especially by the sacrifice of the Mass.”
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