Recipes for November ~ Month Dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory

"Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. As a reminder of our duty to pray for the suffering faithful in Purgatory, the Church has dedicated the month of November to the Holy Souls. The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass."

~ Catholic Culture

In addition to praying for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, here are a few ideas for celebrating the feast days in November, from the archives:

November 1, All Saints Day (New, Trad.):

• Hallowed Days: All Saints & All Souls Fair
• All Saints' Day Treats ~ St. Lucy Cupcakes
• All Saints' Day Treats ~ Bones of Eliseus
• Gluten-Free Pineapple Soul "Cup"Cakes
• Soul Cakes
• Saint-O-Lanterns

November 2, All Souls Day (New, Trad.):

• Hallowed Days: All Saints & All Souls Fair
• All Saints' Day Treats ~ Bones of Eliseus
• Pan de Muertos
• Gluten-Free Pineapple Soul "Cup"Cakes
• Soul Cakes

November 3, St. Martin de Porres (New, Trad.):

• St. Martin's Mice
• St. Martin and the Mice Cupcakes

November 10, St. Leo the Great (New):

• Lion Cake (Since Leo means Lion!)
• Lion Cupcakes

November 11, St. Martin of Tours ~ Martinmas (New, Trad.):

• Goose with Apple Stuffing for Martinmas
• Martinshornchecn (St. Martin's Croissants)
• Horseshoe Cookies for Martinmas
• The Cloak of St. Martin Cake

November 13, St. Francis Xavier Cabrini (New):

• Heart Cake (Since the "heart" is one of the symbols for St. Francis Xavier Cabrini)

November 16, St. Margaret of Scotland (New):

• Crown Cake (Symbolizing the fact that she was a Queen.)
• Simple Cupcake Crowns
• A Scottish Feast to Celebrate St. Margaret and St. Andrew
  
  

November 16, St. Gertrude (New, Trad.):

• Lily Sandwiches (The lily is one of the symbols of St. Gertrude. Other symbols include: Crown and Heart)

November 17, St. Elizabeth of Hungary (New):

• "I am the Bread of Life..." (Bake bread, like St. Elizabeth did, to distribute to others!)
• Crown Cake (Symbolizing the fact that she was a Queen.)
• Simple Cupcake Crowns
• Rosy Treats (Symbolizing the story of when the bread she was carrying turned into roses!)
• Rose Cake and Punch
• Rose Cupcakes
• St. Elizabeth's Crown

November 18, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne (New):

• Rosy Treats
• Rose Cake and Punch
• Rose Cupcakes

November 19, St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Trad):

(See November 17th)

November 21, The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (New, Trad.):

• Many ideas can be found under the label: Blessed Virgin Mary

November 25, St. Catherine of Alexandria (New, Trad.):

• Saint Catherine of Alexandria (Pasta Suggestions)
• Heart Cakes on the Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria

Last Sunday of Ordinary Time, Feast of Christ the King (New):

• Food fit for THE King
• Cookie Crown Cake
• Quick and Easy Mardi Gras King Cake
• King Cake for Mardi Gras
• St. Lucia's Braided Bread
• Simple Cupcake Crowns

Other:

• Fruits of the Harvest Fair
• Thanksgiving Prayers and Greetings
• From Thy Bounty: Holiday Foods and Feasts

We pray for the dead every time we eat if we pray the After Meal Blessing:

We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, Who livest and reignest forever. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

O Mother Most Merciful, Pray for the Souls in Purgatory!