All Hallow Eve – Vigil of All Saints Day

Oct 29

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 30, 2022

When I was young, I loved Halloween. Getting dressed up and walking around the neighborhood with my friends collecting as much candy as possible. I remember returning home after dark and counting all the pieces of candy on my bed. What a treasure! Of course, as I got older I realize that it was actually a treasure for our family dentist, but that’s another story.

I also learned that Halloween emerged out of our Catholic tradition. It was one of those eureka moments when I realized that Halloween was actually All Hallows’ Eve, the night before the church celebrates All Saints’ Day. The celebration of All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), the ancient Celtic festival when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Today we call it Halloween.

Although that is still a fun celebration for the children and for the child in all of us, it is the feasts of All Saints Day and All Souls Day that we really celebrate this time of year.

In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III chose November 1st to honor all the saints in heaven. Of course, we know and celebrate St. Francis and St. Clare. We call upon St. Anthony when we have lost something; St. Jude when we are in despair. The New Yorkers know about St. Frances Cabrini and the Philadelphians harken to St. Katharine Drexel and Saint John Neumann. On November 1st, the church recognizes that there are more people in heaven than in the Canon of Saints. The church tells us that heaven is open to our mothers and fathers, our grandparents, and our children who have gone before us.

Here at St. Francis we will celebrate All Saints Day with a vigil Mass at 5 PM on Monday, Oct. 31st and at the 9 AM Mass on Tuesday, Nov. 1st. On Nov. 2nd, we will celebrate All Souls Day at the 9 AM Mass and at a special Mass at 7 PM, also on Nov. 2nd, as we remember all of our family members and friends who have died during this past year.

During these few days, we celebrate the wonderful people in our lives who have gone before us, yet still woven into the fabric of our lives. Please join us on All Saints Day and All Souls Day as we celebrate our faith that tells us that our loved ones are now woven into the fabric of God’s life.

May they all know God’s peace and joy everlasting!