All Souls Catholic Cemetery, Sanford, FL is one of just a few Catholic Cemeteries in the Diocese of Orlando. People from all Catholic parishes are welcome.
The indenture for the purchase of the property on which All Souls Catholic Cemetery stands was signed by the Right Reverend John Moore, D.D., Catholic Bishop of St. Augustine and a representative of the Florida Land and Colonization Company Limited, on December 21, 1889. The 4 and 1/2 acres of land purchased for the Roman Catholic Cemetery and the parcel purchased in 1883 by the Sanford Cemetery Company encompass lands that were part of Henry Sanford's original property which he named "Belair." This is born out on the location inscribed on the plat for the property dated May 31, 1890.
A letter from Father John A. Hennessy, Pastor of All Souls, dated February 29, 1924 and a receipt from 1921 indicate the cemetery was once referred to as St. Callistus' Catholic Cemetery, however, this name does not appear in local history books or directories or in the files at the Diocesan Offices in St. Augustine and Orlando.
Sunday Bulletins from 1953 to 1968 indicate that it became a tradition during those years to celebrate Mass at the cemetery on the parish feast day - All Souls Day - for all the "souls" who had passed away. The first time appears to have been on November 2, 1955 as noted in the October 30, 1955 Sunday Bulletin announcement: "Masses on All Souls Day will be at 6:30 – 7:00 – 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. There will also be a Mass said in All Souls Catholic Cemetery at 9:00 a.m. Drive out West on 25th Street and turn in at the first red brick pillared gate of the City Cemetary. There will be no Communion given at the Mass in the Cemetary. You may go to Communion at Church."
This tradition continues today, with the Pastor announcing the name of every parishioner who died during the year and a family member or another member of the parish placing a candle in front of the Calvary group monument for each of the departed.
