Halloween: A History

In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes, and eating treats.

(History Channel)

In fact, how you spent the All Hallows Eve or the vigil of All Saints depended on where you lived in Christendom. In eighth-century Brittany, the night (and forty-eight hours after) was without a trace of merriment; they believed that the souls of their loved ones were liberated from Purgatory and were free to come to visit their old homes, so the evening was solemn.

In Ireland and Scotland, and England, All Hallows’ Eve became a combination of solum prayer and merriment. After the Reformation, the merriment evolved into Halloween pranks plaguing Catholics who kept the All Saints vigil. So whether you trick or treat, know that Holloween All Hallows Eve is a liturgical vigil in its own right and thus has a reason for being.

(Reed Newland Catholic Education Resource Centre)

QUEEN’S COLLEGE WALK-A-THON

The Novice Girls 4x race! Some of our young women are beginners to rowing this season and already on the road to showing comet excellence. (In the stroke seat is a student from Windsor School.) Congratulations, everyone! Nassau Rowing Club