For All The Saints

In this season of remembering all the saints, I wanted to write a reflection to incorporate the traditions of All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. However, when I read my friend’s lovely reflection in his weekly newsletter, I thought it best to share his beautiful writing with you.

Here is the “Great Three Days of All Saints” reflection of the Reverend Chris Paul, Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church in Clanton, Alabama:

“Every year at the turn of November, the Church enters one of the most beautiful and hope-filled times of our liturgical calendar — the Three Holy Days that surround All Saints’ Day. These days — All Hallows’ Eve (October 31), All Saints’ Day (November 1), and All Souls’ Day (November 2) — form a sacred rhythm of remembrance, thanksgiving, and hope.

Though our culture often associates this time of year with costumes, pumpkins, and candy, for Christians it has always carried a deeper meaning: a time to reflect on the great communion of saints — those who have gone before us in faith and those who walk beside us still.

All Hallows’ Eve — Remembering the Thinness Between Worlds

All Hallows’ Eve — what we now call Halloween — is the vigil of All Saints’ Day. The word “hallow” means holy, and “All Hallows’ Eve” simply means the evening before the feast of all the holy ones.

In the ancient Church, this vigil was a time of watchful prayer, when Christians reflected on the mystery of life and death, darkness and light. It reminded the faithful that God’s love transcends even death itself. Over time, many of the customs of the evening — lanterns, costumes, and celebration — grew out of the joy and confidence that Christ’s light shines in the darkness, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

As Episcopalians, we can reclaim Halloween as a night of holy imagination — a time to remember that in Christ, death has lost its sting.

All Saints’ Day — The Feast of the Holy Ones

On November 1, we celebrate All Saints’ Day, one of the principal feasts of the Church year. It is the day we remember the great company of saints — both famous and forgotten — who have lived lives of faith, courage, and love.

We give thanks for apostles and martyrs, prophets and teachers, but also for the countless faithful who never had their names recorded in history books — the “ordinary” saints who revealed God’s love in daily life.