All Souls Day

The cemetery we drove by looked remarkably clean and flowered. Someone had obviously been there and taken care of the tombstones and the grounds surrounding all the stones.

Then we realized~ It's that weekend of observances for the Catholic church. I haven't ever lived in a community that is predominantly Catholic until now. This is new for me, so I don't have a clue what these days are really about.

From the KATC Lafayette news website~

Provided by WorldNow

The first two days of November are sacred days for many Christians.

Nov. 1 is All Saints Day. It is a day reserved by the churches to commemorate the saints. In Roman Catholic belief, the observance celebrates all of the saints, both known and unknown, to ensure recognition of anonymous martyrs. All Saints Day also is observed by Eastern Catholics and Anglicans, and by Lutherans and some other Protestants.

On Nov. 2, Catholics and some Protestants observe All Souls Day. For Catholics, the day commemorates church members who have died and have not yet attained Heaven because of minor sins. When Nov. 2 falls on a Sunday, as it does this year, some denominations extend the observance into Monday.

During the Reformation, the Anglican church combined All Saints Day and All Souls Day, but in 1980 the separate observances were once again sanctioned. In Mexican culture, and in other Spanish-speaking countries, All Souls Day is called The Day of the Dead. It is traditionally celebrated by family gatherings and by taking food and gifts to the grave of family members.
As frequently happens, church festivals acquire secular dimensions. All Saints Day also is known as All Hallows Day or Hallowmas. The night before -- Oct. 31 -- is called All Hallows Eve, or Halloween.