All Hallows Eve- Vigil of All Saints

The earliest form of  "All Hallows'" was first celebrated in the 300s, but originally took place on 13 May. The Feast first commemorated only the martyrs, but then  came to include all of the Saints by 741. It was transferred to 1 November in 844 when Pope Gregory III consecrated a chapel in St. Peter's Basilica to All Saint.

It was an  English Catholic tradition to go  begging from door to door on All Hallows Eve, the earlier and more pure form of "trick-or-treating." Children would go about begging their neighbors for a "Soul Cake," for which they would say a prayer for those neighbors' dead. Instead of trick or treat, the children would say either

A Soul Cake, a Soul Cake,
have mercy on all Christian souls for a soul cake!

or

Soul, soul, an apple or two,
If you haven't an apple, a pear will do,
One for Peter, two for Paul,
Three for the Man Who made us all.

For us Franciscans November 29 is when we remember our dead and the saints of the three orders. This is the Feast of All Saints of the Franciscan Order. On this day it is a custom to recite the Litany of Franciscan Saints.

Traditional Soul Cakes

 



A Prayer on All Hallows Eve

God, we thank you for life. We thank you for those who have lived with us and now because of your goodness live in a new way in a new place. This is a season of grief and remembrance and sadness. But because of the victory of Jesus over death, it is not a season for fear or despair. We have hope, because of Jesus’ resurrection that we too will live forever. That fact of faith allows us to rest here and now and enjoy our moments with you here while we have them here. After all, we have forever to enjoy the rest! Remove fear of death in our lives and lead us to trust you for every moment. Thank you God for a Holy All Hallows Eve.       Amen

Eve of All Hallows Prayer

Father,
All-Powerful and Ever-Living God,
Today we rejoice
in the holy men and women
of every time and place
May their prayers
bring us your forgiveness and love
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the Liturgy of the Hours

Other traditional prayers:

  
A Prayer for Protection in Christ

Almighty Father,
Even though we walk
through the valley of
the shadow of death,
we fear no evil,
for Your Son
our Lord Jesus Christ,
has conquered
evil and death,
illuminating even the darkest valley.
Therefore, we beg you:
Protect us from the enemy,
Defend us from all evil,
and give us the grace,
to walk in the light of your Son,
who lives and reigns,
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen
David Bennett

And just for fun:

 Traditional Scottish Prayer

From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!