In the second half of the year, several important holidays appear on the calendar: there are days of celebration of important dates for the nation, such as Independence and the Proclamation of the Republic; in addition to the most important periods for many of us, which are Christmas and New Years.
We cannot forget another date that is considered one of the most emotional moments, the Day of the Dead, celebrated on November 2nd.
All over the world, families and friends gather to honor loved ones who are no longer present, and visits to cemeteries and gatherings of friends are commonplace. Branches and wreaths appear in droves.
Churches hold special festivities. Have you ever stopped to think about the details behind this date?
Do you know why All Souls' Day is celebrated on this date? How are the celebrations in different parts of the world? How was this date set? How are the dead honored, according to various religious denominations? These are interesting questions, which you can check the answers to in this short article, with details about this important day in everyone's life.
About All Souls' Day
Did you know that All Souls' Day, despite being a date in Western culture, is known all over the world? The traditions are so great and extensive that it is necessary to delve a little deeper into the history of this day of celebration, respect and tribute. First of all, would you know how to set this date?
What is All Souls' Day?
The Day of the Dead, also known as Day of the Dead and Day of the Faithful Dead, is a date that marks the celebration and tribute to the deceased. The day is adopted, in most cases, by Western countries, and was established by the Catholic Church, that is, it is a religious holiday of Christian origin.
Traditionally, it is a time when family and friends visit the graves of their deceased loved ones and perform tributes. Among the most repeated actions are visits to cemeteries and masses said in the names of the dead. There are also meetings held on behalf of the deceased, in which the living remember their most memorable moments.
As much as All Souls' Day is a Christian holiday, the celebration of the dead is something natural and common to all cultures of humanity. Since ancient times, societies have reserved moments for homage, offerings and invocations to the deceased.
When is All Souls' Day?
And as for the dates of that day, do you know? All Souls' Day is traditionally celebrated on November 2, the day before another Christian date: All Saints' Day. Initially, during the first phase of the Middle Ages, the two dates were confused.
There are variations according to country and traditions. In Mexico, for example, the Day of the Dead begins to be celebrated on October 31 (the same date as Halloween, in the northern hemisphere, which also celebrated, in its origins, the dead) and goes until November 2.
How did All Souls' Day come about?
Do you know how and why the date of All Souls' Day was set? As the celebrations for the departed are common moments for societies, several dates have already been used for this purpose.
All Souls' Day was gradually incorporated into the liturgy of the Catholic Church. Over the centuries, the custom of celebrating the dead became more solid. In the year 998, the Benedictine monk Odilo de Cluny instituted some rules in his abbey.
Among them was the obligation to pray for the dead on 2 November. The date became popular over the next few centuries until it reached the entire medieval world from the twelfth century onwards.
For the monk Odilo de Cluny, praying for the dead was very important, as it helped the process of transition of these souls from purgatory to heaven. Over the centuries, the date has evolved from a liturgical obligation to a traditional period of tribute and celebration.
All Souls' Day and Religions
Although the origin of All Souls' Day is Catholic, the date has spread to all parts of the world and is celebrated by various religions and other spiritual denominations. Due to cultural encounters, political clashes and religious syncretisms, the date has several variations and particularities. Learn more about some of these details.
What does the bible say about All Souls' Day?
As previously informed, All Souls' Day is not a date of canonically biblical origin, as it is an evolution of liturgical definitions of the Catholic Church. However, the monks and other priests who set this date were based on important passages in the holy book.
Several books of the Bible cite acts of commemoration of the dead. In Tobias 12:12, it reads that: “When you prayed with tears and buried the dead, when you left your meal and went to hide the dead in your house during the day, to bury them when the night came, I presented your prayers to the Lord.”
Another biblical reference to the act of praying for the souls of the dead is in the book of Maccabees, chapter 12. Between verses 43 and 46, it says that “this was a good and religious thought; this is why he asked for an atoning sacrifice that the dead might be freed from their faults.”
What does spiritism say about All Souls' Day?
Adherents of spiritism do not honor the dead only on All Souls' Day. Other commemorative dates (such as the celebration of the birthday) are also reasons for acts of dialogue and respect for those who have gone.
All Souls' Day is a special time, as it requires the use of memory to remember the good times with those who are gone, generating positive vibes for their souls. In addition, it is an appropriate time to perform charitable acts in the names of the deceased.
However, the spiritist doctrine does not follow the rites of visiting cemeteries. This is because they claim to honor the “disembodied living” at all times. Despite this, spiritists respect the Christian celebration.
What does Umbanda say about All Souls' Day?
Umbanda adherents have a strong and close relationship with the deceased. One of the bases of religion is direct contact with the dead, who descend to the material plane during the time of the tours and parties.
During the Day of the Dead, Umbanda practitioners make prayers and offerings to the orixá Abaluaiê, responsible for taking care of the spirits of those who have just died. Good energies are sent to the deceased. Therefore, Umbanda treats the day as a period of celebration and strength.
What is the importance of All Souls' Day?
All Souls' Day is a date that transcends religious rules and doctrines, as seen in this article. Whatever your religion, remembering and showing respect for deceased loved ones should be a regular part of your life. That is why the date is so important for contemporary societies.
Currently, All Souls' Day is an even more democratic period, going beyond the Catholic universe and serving as a bridge for dialogue between people of different cultures, religions and spiritual planes.
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And you, did you already know all these details about All Souls' Day? If you are one of those who don't like the date very much and think it's too down, maybe this is a moment for self-reflection. For the period is as old as humanity itself and goes beyond different moments and cultures. Celebrate, respect and share this important period for all families with your closest people.
