I love Halloween! My favorite holiday of the year, really. But it has taken on new meaning to me, not only because I have converted to Catholicism, but in my fascination with the day I have researched how and why other cultures celebrate during this time of year.
My father’s family is shown above outside the family home and business, three generations that didn’t even include him and his sister yet, about 1905. They were together to celebrate his Grandparents 50th Anniversary, a really special occasion back then when the average age of death was 45!
As the church teaches, when we die, we are not in a perfect form yet to meet our God and Savior face to face. We have carried some of our imperfections with us that need to be set aside, washed away, and let go to experience all of God’s glory. The prayers offered for the dead help those souls to make that transition, help us to let go of that grudge that we couldn’t let go of while in our earthly body, say, or confess that sin that we had buried deep inside. We pray for family members and friends who have gone before us, and in its way, it helps us to lead a more Godly life here on earth. It helps by reminding us that we too want to stand before God spotless and radiant, prepared for all the joys of that transition.
We celebrate the eve of All Saints Day on October 31st (All Hallow’s Eve) followed by All Souls Day on November 1st. On the 31st we remember the saints who went before us -living Godly lives or who were martyred for defending the faith. On November 2nd, we pause to remember our families, loved ones, friends, and church members, especially those who have died in the past year. We offer masses to be said for our deceased, light candles, and say special prayers that are offered to help them transition from purgatory to the full presence of God. We include all those who have “crossed over”, especially those who have no one to pray for them.
Some cultures believe you die three deaths: the first when the body ceases to function, and the second when the physical body ceases to exist, and the third when no one on earth remembers your name.
Different versions of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead is celebrated by many in central America. Some recognize the death of children on November 1st by visiting the families who have lost a child in the past year, bringing food and comfort. For all Souls day or Day of the Dead, they may set up altars with pictures and favorite foods and drink of the deceased and light candles to help them find their way home. This one night of the year they are allowed to pay us a visit. Some set up food and flowers at the grave and pray and wait for their loved ones. Or celebrate to laugh in the face of death, something we all will have to face one day. Candy sugar skulls, Pan de Muerto, images of skeletons -all may be a part of the day’s festivities. My rendition of Pan de Muerto which is typically a large bun with crossed bones on top, is my “Dead Head” from a few years back, and won 1st prize in a local art contest for Halloween food.
I think it would be nice to have one special day each year to remember all our loved ones who have gone before us. Last year, a few of our friends got together for a meal, and brought family photos and set them up on a table to share and talk about our families. We learned so much more about each other, what our backgrounds were like, and share the sorrow of losing loved ones. We also told stories and laughed a lot too. I would like to try it again!
A NORTH CAROLINA GIRL LIVING IN A SOUTH CAROLINA WORLD... 