Essays on All Saints

The tradition of celebrating Halloween dates back from the ancient legends and folklore across the world. In Catholic countries, November 1 is the All Saints Day, which marks a special celebration of the saints’ good deeds here on earth. November 2 is considered as the All Hallows Eve, a day said to believe that spirits of the dead return to the land to visit their loved ones. Originally, the tradition of Halloween dates back since the Middle Ages, based on the ancient pagan festivity in Ireland. This celebration is called ‘Samhain,’ (pronounced as sow-een) which means ‘the end of summer’. This ...

Since human existence, human beings have always tried to elaborate on the mystery surround death and life. It is worth noting that many cultures and civilization have developed rituals that try to assert meaning to human existence. The indigenous Mexican populace believed that the death was a path to the next life. Hence, those who died were buried with various objects that they will require in later life. The study of Dia de los Muertos has been carried out for the last 4000 years. The day of the death has been celebrated in Mexico for many years. These refer to a ...

Early Christianity adopted many of the Pagan rituals as it evolved. The influences of Paganism can be found in the symbols Christians use as proof of their faith, the buildings they worship in and the ceremonies they participate into the holidays they celebrate. John H. Newman the author of Development of the Christian stated, "The use of temples, and these dedicated to particular saints, and ornamented on occasions with branches of trees; incense, lamps, and candles; votive offerings on recovery from illness; holy water; asylums; holy days and seasons, use of calendars, processions, blessings on the fields, sacerdotal vestments, ...