What is Halloween?

Halloween combines pagan & Christian customs. 

Hallowe’en or All-Hallows-Eve takes place on the night of 31 October. Hallow is the old English word for saint. Hallowed evening’ or ‘holy evening’ was later understood to mean eve or ‘night before’ The ‘een’ comes from an old Scottish word meaning ‘eve’ or night before.

Hallowe’en is not a religious festival but its name refers to one that takes place the following day. Hallow is the old English word for saint and November 1 is All-Hallows which has evolved into All-Saints-Day. This remembers all Christian martyrs who have died for the faith.

To complicate things, All Souls Day follows on 2 November. On All Souls Day Christians pray for the ‘souls of the (faithful) departed’. Faithful here refers to followers of the faith – in practical terms this is a general festival of remembrance.

Prayers and services are dedicated to all ‘the departed’ as well to individuals. For Catholics it is not a holy day of obligation. While Catholics are encouraged to attend one of the special Masses on All Souls Day, they are not obliged to do so

Read more on Halloween (B2)

Halloween ghost story: E. Nesbit’s Man-Made-in-Marble – read/listen here