Halloween is a time of fright,
When ghosts and goblins come to light.
It’s a day to dress up and pretend,
And have some fun with family and friends.
My earliest memories of Halloween were pulling bits of clothes from a musty box. There was a hat that resembled hair, a blanket, plastic Frankenstein mask with a broken elastic string dangling from one side. We’d celebrate by meeting at Aunt Marie’s whose porch held our decorations and creations. One year we placed foam bedding on the ground to simulate the surface of the moon. I can remember dressing up as an Indian (the kind from the old westerns), a hunter (even toting a BB gun), a bum (hobo), Darth Vader (wearing Uncle Dude’s freshly painted welders helmet), a vampire (slurping back my saliva soaked plastic teeth), and even The Godfather (complete with hoarse voice and paper towel inserts in my cheeks). Some years were warm and dry while others forced us to cover our costume with a winter coat. Each year our creations became more elaborate and creative, especially when my cousin, the then aspiring makeup artist, lent us his talents.
Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated on the night of October 31st. The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, and ghosts returned to earth. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saints’ Day, a day to honor all saints and martyrs. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually became Halloween.
The Catholic Church played a significant role in shaping Halloween into what it is today. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory IV extended All Saints’ Day to include all people who had died but were not yet saints. This day was known as All Souls’ Day. The Church encouraged people to pray for the dead and offered indulgences for those who did so.
In the Middle Ages, Halloween became a secular holiday in Europe. People would dress up in costumes and go door-to-door asking for food or money in exchange for prayers for the dead. This practice was called “souling” and was later replaced by “trick-or-treating.”
Halloween has evolved over time from a pagan festival to a Christian holiday to a secular celebration. It has become a time for people to have fun, dress up in costumes, and enjoy spooky decorations and treats. I think we can safely celebrate this festival without forgetting and honoring the one true God who made our families the place we find acceptance and love. Happy Halloween!
I thank God for my nephew’s fantastic memory as I relive each costume he described. Those were the moments I relive each year at this time
Thank you for this interesting history of what has become a huge holiday and a major boost to the economy!
Love reading your memories, so many I share