Post by Eric Gajewski on Oct 22, 2016 13:40:23 GMT
TradCatKnight: Is it okay for Catholics to celebrate Halloween? An exorcist explains
The exact origins of Halloween and its traditions are somewhat muddled.
Some historians claim that Halloween is a "baptized" form of Samhain, an ancient Gaelic festival celebrating the harvest and marking the beginning of winter - the time of year when a significant portion of the population would often die.
Because of the fear of death that came with winter, celebrations of Samhain seemed to have included going door to door asking for treats dressed in costumes, which were thought to disguise the living from life-taking spirits.
The Catholic feast of All Saints Days traces its origins in the Church to the year 609, and it was first celebrated in May. However, in the 9th century, Pope Gregory IV moved the holiday to Nov. 1, so that Oct. 31 would become the celebration of the vigil of the feast - All Hallow's Eve.
While some historians believe this move was made so the holiday could coincide with, and thus "baptize", the holiday of Samhain, other historians believe that this may have been because the Germanic church was already celebrating All Saints Day on November 1, and the move had less to do with Samhain than previously thought.
tradcatknight.blogspot.com/2016/10/is-it-okay-for-catholics-to-celebrate.html#more
The exact origins of Halloween and its traditions are somewhat muddled.
Some historians claim that Halloween is a "baptized" form of Samhain, an ancient Gaelic festival celebrating the harvest and marking the beginning of winter - the time of year when a significant portion of the population would often die.
Because of the fear of death that came with winter, celebrations of Samhain seemed to have included going door to door asking for treats dressed in costumes, which were thought to disguise the living from life-taking spirits.
The Catholic feast of All Saints Days traces its origins in the Church to the year 609, and it was first celebrated in May. However, in the 9th century, Pope Gregory IV moved the holiday to Nov. 1, so that Oct. 31 would become the celebration of the vigil of the feast - All Hallow's Eve.
While some historians believe this move was made so the holiday could coincide with, and thus "baptize", the holiday of Samhain, other historians believe that this may have been because the Germanic church was already celebrating All Saints Day on November 1, and the move had less to do with Samhain than previously thought.
tradcatknight.blogspot.com/2016/10/is-it-okay-for-catholics-to-celebrate.html#more