Religious Education 

What is Halloween? 31st October

Christians traditionally called October 31st All Hallows’ Eve. This is because October 31st is the day before All Saints’ Day or All Hallows’ Day.

A long time ago, some people thought that if they dressed up in scary looking costumes it would stop any bad spirits from bothering them.

Today, people have fun dressing up in costumes. Children go trick-or-treating. Costume parties are often held on Halloween. 

Carved pumpkins are called jack-o’-lanterns.

A long time ago, people kept jack-o’-lanterns outside their homes on Halloween night. They were supposed to scare away evil spirits.

In Ireland, jack-o’-lanterns were originally carved out of turnips. When a lot of Irish people moved to America, they wanted to make jack-o’-lanterns. They couldn’t find enough turnips, so they carved pumpkins instead.

Today, people carve all sorts of silly or spooky faces into pumpkins. They are displayed as decorations. 

What is All Saints’ Day? 1st November

All Saints' Day is a Christian holiday dedicated to honor and commemorate the saints. It is also known as All Hallows' Day or the Feast of All Saints. 

All Saints’ Day is celebrated every year on 1st November; it is a holy day in the Catholic Church. It is a day when they celebrate the saints of the church as well as those saints who have not yet been recognised.

What is a Saint? A saint is someone who has proven himself or herself to be holy by following God’s teachings and has entered the kingdom of heaven. How does someone become a saint? The Catholic Church believes that anyone can become a saint but there must be proof that the person has performed two miracles. These miracles can happen during or after their life. If a person performs one miracle, they can be blessed. 

Pope Boniface IV created All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in 609AD. All Souls’ Day is celebrated the day after All Saints’ Day, the 2nd November. All Saints’ Day is a day of obligation; All Souls’ Day is not.

What is a Miracle? A miracle is something that cannot be explained by science or nature. What is All Souls’ Day? 2nd November

All Souls’ Day is also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead. It’s a day of prayer and remembrance and on All Souls’ Day, people celebrate the lives and souls of those who have died.

Kind Regards

Mrs Maher

Religious Education Leader