“All Hallows Eve” by Pastor Sharon

 What do you think of when you think of Halloween?

On Sunday night, children and adults will dress in costumes, many going door to door trick or treating, attend parties, and celebrating what was once known as All Hallows Eve. It is the night when “the world around us is all about Halloween.”[1] A holiday second only to Christmas in terms of decorations and displays. [2] And, for many people “it is a big deal.” [3]

For centuries, a celebration much like Halloween was held as part of pagan worship in different cultures. 

For example, the Romans celebrated the goddess Pomona, a patroness of fruits and gardens. [4] And in Brittany, a region of northwestern France, there were bonfires and feasting with apples, nuts, and harvest fruits. The bonfires were lit ablaze to honor the sun-god as “a tribute to the light that brought them abundant harvest.” [5] And they celebrated the “lord of death;” “who was thought to gather” the souls of those who had died that year “which had been consigned to the bodies of animals in punishment for their sins.” [6] 

But did you know that All Hallows Eve was actually a part of the liturgy of the Church?

In the eighth century, the Church appointed a special date for the feast of All Saints, which we continue to celebrate today.[7] All Saints Day celebrates and remembers those who have gone home to be with our Lord and Savior. “We remember them because they are still a part of us.” [8] They are and will forever belong to our community of faith, united with us in and through Jesus Christ. We remember the people who have shaped our lives and beliefs, who have mentored us, bringing us to faith through their teachings, writings, and personal influences upon our lives. It is a way for us to celebrate the lives of those who remain part of our community, but are no longer with us in the flesh. All Saints Day is a time for us to reflect upon our own mortality and the promise of eternity given to us by our Risen Lord.

The Church chose this time of year because “it was the time of barrenness on the earth.” [9] It was a time when people became mindful of death. A time when our world is cold and drab; when summer months are gone and the harvest is in; the trees stand bare and naked of their leaves, showing their bony branches.

All-Hallows-Eve, the night before All-Saints’-Day was seen by many as a solemn night. They believed that the “night of the dead” was when poor souls were liberated from Purgatory, and were free to visit their old homes. [10] In the Roman Catholic doctrine, purgatory is a place of suffering that the souls of sinners inhabit until they have atoned for their sins. It is a doctrine which Protestants reject. Purgatory was a place souls would have to go to before going to heaven. Historically, indulgences were paid to the church by loved ones of the deceased for the remission of temporal punishment in purgatory that was due for remaining sins, even after absolution by a priest. And, it was the abuse of these indulgences during the later Middle Ages which partially led to the Reformation. 

On All Hallows Eve, by day, family would visit the graves of deceased loved ones. [11] In the evening, they attended church for “black vespers”. [12] They sang hymns to call upon all Christians to pray for the dead. [13]

Speaking for their dead, they would ask for prayers. [14] It was believed by Roman Catholics to be unwise to roam abroad at the time of the returning souls. And it has been said, that Post-Reformation, Protestants would play pranks to plague Catholics, while the Roman Catholic Church kept its vigil. [15] The tradition of Black Vespers upheld until 1956, when the church simplified its liturgical calendar. [16]

As for Trick or Treating, it can be traced back to England, where there was a custom of knocking at doors to beg for “soul cake”. [17] In return for this delicacy, beggars promised to pray for the dead of the household. [18]

Those going door to door would sing a rhyme:

“Soul, soul, an apple or two,

If you haven’t an apple, a pear will do,

One for Peter, two for Paul

Three for the Man Who made us all.” [19]

And they warned the living to heed the means of salvation before it was too late. [20]

While goblins and witches with cats, considered to be ancient symbols of the devil, are the remnants of pagan times, death with its eerie spell over the graveyard still fascinates many today. [21] And the familiar harvest fruits, cornstalks, and pumpkins remain part of today’s celebration from past pagan traditions. There are many ghost tales and superstitions tied to All Hallows Eve. Some too scary to tell- But it has been said that one should wait for the sound of the cock to crow before venturing out on All Hallow Eve night, for it is the first light of dawn that sends the souls of those who are roaming the earth back into their graves. 

May you all have a safe and Happy Halloween.

Pastor Sharon

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[1] Derek Webber, "Not Far From the Kingdom," Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church, October 31,2021, https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/not-far-from-the-kingdom/twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Mary Reed Newland, “All Hallow’s Eve,” Catholic Education Resource Center, 1999, https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/all-hallow-s-eve.html.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Derek Webber, "Not Far From the Kingdom," Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church, October 31,2021, https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/not-far-from-the-kingdom/twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes.

[9] Mary Reed Newland, “All Hallow’s Eve,” Catholic Education Resource Center, 1999, https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/all-hallow-s-eve.html

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid.

[16] Ibid.

[17] Ibid.

[18] Ibid.

[19] Ibid.

[20] Ibid.

[21] Ibid.

Works Cited:

Reed Newland, Mary. “All Hallow’s Eve.” Catholic Education Resource Center. 1999. https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/all-hallow-s-eve.html.

Weber, Derek. "Not Far From the Kingdom." Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church. October 31,2021. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/not-far-from-the-kingdom/twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost-year-b-lectionary-planning-notes.