Gospel for the Solemnity of All Saints
November 1, 2026 · Matthew 5:1-12a
The way of the saints
This year All Saints’ Day falls on a Sunday. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the Beatitudes: the way that all the saints followed. Matthew 5:1-12a
Liturgical color: white
This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words
Jesus saw the crowds, went up a mountain, and sat down. His disciples came to him. Matthew 5:1
Then he began to teach them. Matthew 5:2
He told them that the poor in spirit are blessed, because the Kingdom of heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3
He called blessed those who mourn, because they will be comforted, and the meek, because they will inherit the land. Matthew 5:4-5
Also those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be satisfied. Matthew 5:6
The merciful, because they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
The clean of heart, because they will see God. Matthew 5:8
The peacemakers, because they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9
And those who are persecuted for doing what is right, because the Kingdom of heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:10
He told them to rejoice when people insult them because of him, for their reward in heaven will be great. Matthew 5:11-12
What the Bible says
Matthew 5:1-12a
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. 2And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying: 3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. 5Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 6Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. 7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. 10Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: 12Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
The other readings at Mass
First Reading
In a vision, John sees a huge crowd from every nation. They are dressed in white before the throne of God. Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Responsorial Psalm
This is the people that seeks God: those whose hands are sinless and whose hearts are clean. Psalm 24:1-6
Second Reading
The Father loves us so much that he calls us children of God, and so we are. When Jesus is revealed, we will see him as he is. 1 John 3:1-3
The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org
What the Church teaches
The Beatitudes
They are at the heart of Jesus’ preaching. The Church teaches that they come true in the life of the Virgin Mary and of all the saints.
Catechism 1716 and 1717
The saints are with us
The saints in heaven never stop interceding for us with the Father, through Jesus Christ.
Catechism 956
All Souls
On the next day, November 2, the Church prays for all the faithful departed. She has done so from the earliest times.
Catechism 1032
The color white
On the Solemnity of All Saints the priest wears white.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal 346
To read with your children
Jesus went up a mountain and sat down to teach. Matthew 5:1
He taught them who is truly blessed and happy. Matthew 5:3
Those who show mercy will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
Those with a clean heart will see God. Matthew 5:8
Those who make peace will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9
The saints lived this way, and we are called to be saints too.
To talk about as a family
- Do you know a saint? What do you know about his or her life?
- Which Beatitude is hardest for you? And which one comes most easily?
- For the child: who is the kindest person you know? What does he or she do?
This week
On Monday, November 2, the Church prays for the dead. This week, pray together for a family member who has died, and share something beautiful about his or her life.
To pray
Lord Jesus, thank you for all the saints, the famous ones and the ones no one knows. May the Virgin Mary and all the saints be with us. Give us a clean heart full of peace, so that we may live with you forever. Amen.