Most people have a preconceived notion that Halloween is a pagan holiday. But, Halloween has significant Catholic roots. Halloween is the vigil of All Saints Day where Catholics bring to mind those that have gone before us and entered into heaven. While the culture around us dresses up as their favorites characters, monsters, etc., it is important to acknowledge and maintain the true meaning of this important day.
Dr Marcel Brown, of the Alcuin Institute for Catholic Culture in Tulsa explained, “The word itself is taken an older English term, “hallows,” meaning “holy”; and “e’en”, a truncation of the word evening, in reference to the Vigil of the feast. So really, Halloween is the feast of the celebration of the feast of All Hallows’”, he said. “So it’s a day when Catholics celebrate the triumph of the Church in heaven, and the lives of the saints on earth.” Furthermore, when we break down the word hallow which means “holy” this can also be noted in the Our Father prayer, “hallowed by Thy name.” Holy be Thy name.
All Saint’s Day, the day after Halloween, became an authorized solemnity in 835 under Pope Gregory IV. Similar to most Catholic Holy Days, we hold a vigil for All Saint’s Day. In Europe, All Saint’s Day was commonly known as “all hallows’ day.”
Do you know how Trick or Treating started?
In Ireland and England, Catholics would make “Soul Cakes” to give children. Impoverished children would travel from door to door of the rich and sing songs in hopes of receiving a soul cake as a treat. In return, the children would be provided with the name of someone who had died and would be responsible for praying for the individual’s soul.
Don’t let our secular society fool you…Halloween had Catholic roots way before the spooky, bloody, and demonic nature of the holiday today. Can Christian’s still partake in the festivities? After much research, I’ve come to the conclusion that Christians are in the clear as long as we don’t cross that fine line. Remember that the celebration has value and attempt to educate those around you about the true meaning of Halloween.
Be safe, have fun, and pray for the souls who have went to heaven before us!
Want to make soul cakes? Here is a recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup sour cream or plain greek yogurt with full fat
- 1/2 cup whole milk or milk preference
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 apple diced, patted dry (optional) I used Pink Lady apples but Honey Crisp or Fuji would work well too.
- Additional milk and sugar for topping
- Additional 1/4 cup of flour for rolling out dough.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- Cream together sugar and butter with a hand mixer.
- Then add in sour cream, milk and vanilla extract and mix.
- Next add in baking powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice and mix.
- Add in the flour one cup at a time and mix well. Dough will be piece-y.
- Fold in the dried cranberries and apples and then chill dough for 20 minutes.
- Roll out dough on parchment paper and use extra flour on your hands, rolling pin and parchment paper as needed. You may beed as much as 1/4 cup extra flour depending on the moisture in your apples. Roll about 1/2 inch thick.
- Using a cookie cutter or a biscuit cutter, cut the Soul Cakes out and place them on a cookie sheet that’s lined with parchment paper. Double line the cookie sheet if you are worried about browning or use a silicone baking liner.
- Cut the X in the top and decorate with dried fruit if you want to. Brush the tops with milk. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove them from the oven and brush the tops with milk again and then sprinkle on sugar. Bake for another 11-14 minutes until the tops have started to brown a bit. Do not bake them for longer than 26 minutes total.
- Transfer to a cooling rack right away and let them cool completely. Then serve them with coffee, tea, cider, ale or even wine!
