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Halloween has Christian roots
By LINDA M. LINONIS
Today, All Hallow’s Eve, popularly known as Halloween, is the night before All Saints Day, observed Nov. 1 on the liturgical calendar. All Souls Day, Nov. 2, follows and remembers the faithful departed.
Allhallowtide is a term describing the three days. The term “hallow” means holy.
Pastor Jamie Milton of First Presbyterian Church of Mineral Ridge noted in an October church newsletter article that the word Halloween is Christian in origin. He pointed out Halloween is a blending of the words “All Hallow’s Eve.”
Pastor Jamie said he had known that the practice of trick-or-treat originated in the Protestant Church as a way to help the poor. In the newsletter, he wrote that the poor walked from house to house “going a-souling.” In exchange for food, the poor would pray for the donors and their families, especially if someone had died that year.
At his church, a prayer often is said on the closest Sunday to All Saints Day in recognition of the observance. Families may light candles for members who have died as their names are read, he said.
Pastor Jamie said Halloween provides an opportunity to contrast the Christian view of death with unbelievers. “It’s the foundation of our faith. ... There is more to this life after we die when we go to be with God. We don’t go into nothingness,” the pastor said. “Christians find hope in believing that death is not the end ... that we will be with God forever.”
The Rev. Shawn Conoboy, pastor of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Campbell, explained that all of the major solemnities such as All Saints Day, Christmas, Easter, the Assumption, have a vigil that begins the night before. It’s part of the liturgical calendar.
In the beginning of November, two back-to-back occasions are marked with All Saints Day and All Souls Day this weekend.
“All Saints recognizes those who have gone through the public process and became saints,” Father Conoboy said. These are saints such as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Patrick, who are familiar to many people. “The saints are heroic witnesses to a Christian life,” Father Conoboy said. “They are examples of living a good life.”
All Saints Day also recognizes known saints and other saints who don’t have a special day designated in their honor. “All Saints Day celebrates everyone who is in heaven,” Father Conoboy said.
All Souls Day remembers the faithful departed. “It’s all who died and are on their way to heaven,” the priest said.
“It’s a tradition at most Catholic cemeteries to have an All Souls Mass,” he said. Father Conoboy will officiate at a Mass at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, 3900 Villa Marie Road, Lowellville.
He said most people who attend have had a death in the family that year or have a relative or friend buried at the cemetery. “People appreciate the special prayers and liturgy for all souls,” Father Conoboy said. “Prayers are related to the fullness of eternal life.”