All Hallows Eve

Halloween has become big business in the United States, a billion dollar holiday between costumes, extravagant house and lawn decorations and candy.  Its origin and evolution provide a fascinating study of the blending of Christian and pagan customs. Briefly, it stems for the vigil that was held on the eve of All Saints, All Hallows, an old English word for "Holy" which we retain the in the Lord's Prayer, "hallowed be thy name."  There were so many martyrs, named and unnamed, that the Church decided to lump them all together to be remembered at Mass on November 1st, All Saints and to commemorate all the deceased the next day on All Souls Day. October 31st signals the beginning of "Allhallowstide." Costumes and "trick or treating" derive from the pagan celebration of mischievous spirits and cakes that were baked, collected and begged by those who were not able to bake them.  In the excitement generated by our current customs, especially among children, it would be good to research this day, explain to them its true religious meaning and origins and offer a prayer for the souls of the faithful departed before they hit the neighborhood to loot and spook.
Bro Rene