Ordinary Time · All Souls: Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed · Year A

Wisdom 3:1-9 or 4:7-15

The Souls of the Righteous Are in God's Hand

November 2, 2026

The Righteous Souls, Jan Mostaert — **The Righteous Souls**, Jan Mostaert, about 1520Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid

Roman Lectionary

GospelMatt. 5:1-12aMt 5:1-12a Alt. GospelMatt. 11:25-30Mt 11:25-30 or25:31-46 orLuke 7:11-17Lk 7:11-17 or23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a or24:13-16, 28-35 orJohn 5:24-29Jn 5:24-29 or6:37-40, 6:51-59 or11:17-27, 11:32-45 or14:1-6

Second ReadingRom. 5:5-11Rom 5:5-11 or5:17-21 Alt. 2nd ReadingRom. 6:3-9Rom 6:3-9 or8:14-23 or8:31b-35, 37-39 or14:7-9, 10c-12 or1 Cor. 15:20-281 Cor 15:20-28 or15:51-57 or2 Cor. 4:14-5:12 Cor 4:14-5:1 or5:1, 6-10 orPhil. 3:20-21Phil 3:20-21 or1 Thess. 4:13-181 Thes 4:13-18 or2 Tim. 2:8-132 Tm 2:8-13

First ReadingWis. 3:1-9Wis 3:1-9 or4:7-15 Alt. 1st ReadingIsa. 25:6-9Is 25:6-9

Responsorial PsalmPs. 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Alt. PsalmPs. 25:6, 7b, 17-18, 20-21Ps 25:6, 7b, 17-18, 20-21 or27:1, 4, 7, 8b, 9a, 13-14

Overview & Insights

"The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them." (Wisdom 3:1)

The passage teaches that the souls of the just rest in God's hand, safe from torment. Though in the eyes of the foolish they seemed to die, they are at peace, and having been disciplined a little they will receive great good, for God tested them and found them worthy of himself.

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Take it further: Wisdom 3:1-9 or 4:7-15

Commentary

Haydock's Catholic Commentary on Wisdom 3Haydock's Catholic Commentary on Wis 3 StudyLight

George Haydock's Catholic notes on the whole of Wisdom 3, verse by verse.

All Souls Day: Reading Study Agape Bible Study

A Catholic reading study of the All Souls readings, opening with the souls of the righteous.

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Dr. Brant Pitre explains why the church reads Wisdom on the hope of immortality for the dead.

Background & Word Study

Wisdom 3 with Haydock NotesWis 3 with Haydock Notes New Advent · Catholic Encyclopedia

The Douay-Rheims text of Wisdom 3 with Haydock's Catholic commentary in the margins.

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