All Souls' Day - Origins, Practices and Purposes

Origins, Practices and Purposes

Some believe that the origins of All Souls' Day in European folklore and folk belief are related to customs of ancestor veneration practised worldwide, through events such as the Chinese Ghost Festival, the Japanese Bon Festival, or the Mexican Day of the Dead. The Roman custom was that of the Lemuria. However, a review of the sources show that most of the specific European traditions are medieval in origin (post 1000 AD and reflect the "dogmatic" invention of the purgatory. Thus chiming for the dead souls was believed to comfort them in hell, while the sharing of soul cakes with the poor helped to buy the dead a bit respite in the flames. In the same way lighting candles was meant to kindle a light for the dead souls languishing in the darkness. Out of this grew the traditions of souling and the baking of special types of bread or cakes. In Tirol, cakes are left for them on the table and the room kept warm for their comfort. In Brittany, people flock to the cemeteries at nightfall to kneel, bareheaded, at the graves of their loved ones, and to anoint the hollow of the tombstone with holy water or to pour libations of milk on it. At bedtime, the supper is left on the table for the souls.

In Bolivia, many people believe that the dead eat the food that is left out for them. In Brazil people attend a Mass or visit the cemetery taking flowers to decorate their relatives' grave, but no food is involved.

In Malta many people make pilgrimages to graveyards, not just to visit the graves of their dead relatives, but to experience the special day in all its significance. Visits are not restricted to this day alone. During the month of November, Malta's cemeteries are frequented by families of the departed. Mass is also said throughout the month, with certain Catholic parishes organising special events at cemetery chapels.