All Saints’ Day: why do we celebrate the Saints this November 1st?

All Saints Day why do we celebrate the Saints this

This Catholic holiday, celebrated every November 1, corresponds to the Feast of Saints. Here are 5 things to know about All Saints’ Day.

All Saints’ Day, celebrated this Wednesday, November 1, 2023, is often confused with “Halloween” Or “the day of the deceased” which takes place the day after All Saints’ Day, November 2. For the Catholic Church of France, as its name indicates, this celebration is above all All Saints Day. At one time, we also spoke of the “martyrs day“.

But what exactly are we commemorating?

For faithful Catholics and Christians, All Saints’ Day is the holiday that commemorates all Saints.who were living and luminous witnesses of Christ”, specifies theCatholic Church of France on his site. Whether known or unknown, All Saints Day is dedicated to them. It is also an opportunity for all men, still in this world, to remember that holiness is accessible to all. “by different paths, sometimes surprising or unexpected”.

What is the origin of All Saints’ Day?

The origin of the feast of All Saints dates back to the 4th century AD. At this time, in some regions of the world, notably within the Eastern Church, in Turkey or in Egypt, this feast day is addressed to all the martyrs, who died for their faith. All Saints’ Day took place not on November 1, but on the Sunday following Pentecost. It would be necessary to wait until 835 for Pope Gregory IV to set the date of All Saints’ Day on November 1st.

Why is All Saints’ Day a public holiday?

In France, All Saints’ Day is a public holiday, which is part of the religious holidays provided for by law. The Western Emperor Louis Le Pieux, who was the son of Charlemagne, took the initiative to make this holiday a public holiday. Pope Pius

Who celebrates All Saints’ Day in other countries?

All Saints’ Day is not only celebrated in France, it is also celebrated in other countries, such as in England, Spain, Italy or in many cantons of Switzerland.

What are the dates of the All Saints’ Day holidays?

All Saints’ Day also falls right during the All Saints holidays for schoolchildren. This year, this holiday period extends from Saturday October 21, 2023 to Monday November 6, 2023 for the three academic zones, namely zone A, B and C.


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