Liturgy Lesson for All Saints Day: Halloween and All Hallows

November 1, 2008

You’ve probably heard it: should Christians celebrate Halloween? Taken from the Old English term for Hallowmas Eve, it has its roots in Samhain, the Celtic New Year, celebrated on November 1, and a significant time for divination. The Church, “seizing the land” from our Adversary, replaced the pagan Samhain with the celebration of “All Hallows,”—a term for “All Holy.” The word “Holy,” rendered in Latin is Sanctus (set aside or reserved), from which we derive our word saint, hence the derivation of the term “All Saints” for this festival. The Eucharist, then, rightly honored “All Saints,” and was originally called Hallowmas (mass for all the saints). During this period of 8 days of prayer, called an octave, we tenderly celebrate the lives and our connection, through the Communion of Saints, to all Christians, living with God or on Earth, by remembering their names in the Lord’s courts, especially during Holy Communion. The main difference between Samhain and All Saints Day is that Samhain recognized and feared the evil spirits, whereas All Saints celebrated life lived eternally before God without fear. Our Anglican fathers were wise in their selection of Scripture emphasizing this difference—exemplified by our Gospel today, in St. Matthew 5—describing our rewards as people set aside for God. Should a Christian be part of Halloween? We can read St. Matthew 5:13, where Jesus calls us “Salt of the Earth” and ask ourselves honestly if taking part in the ancient pagan tradition trumpets “All Saints” to the World around us—or not.