'All Saints Day'

The day of dead has been celebrated for centuries all around the world. In Poland it's an important day of the year. Families around the country prepare days in advance travelling to cemeteries where their loved ones are buried, lighting candles, saying prayers, leaving flowers. It's a day when we remember the people who have passed. Where they've gone is not something anyone can say. Some believe they've gone to heaven, others claim that they continue to live amongst us, while others still think they have reincarnated and come back to live another life. Either way, it's important to remember that they were here among us once upon a time. The event has been celebrated since around the second century A.D. and has continued until today.

All Hallows Eve is a celebration that is by most believe to be Pagan, others, especially the Church believe it is Christian and began when the peasants in the middle ages begged for cakes in exchange for praying for lost souls, hence the term 'trick or treat'. Some people regard All Hallows Eve or Halloween as an American holiday but it's a nice way to celebrate a sad day. Dressing up as monsters, witches, fairies and fireman gives children and adults an opportunity to be light hearted, have a bit of fun and enjoy a special holiday together. I think that we could take example from the Mexicans who really know how to celebrate the 'Day of the Dead'.

For the Catholic Church, All Saint's Day is one of the most important holy days every year. People gather together in churches for Mass which follows into the cemetery. Families, friends and acquaintances visit cemeteries near and far. Once the sun sets and dusk is upon us the cemeteries look extraordinary all lit up.

The downside is that it's another day that commercialism and marketing has touched. This afternoon as we were going to one of the cemeteries, beside ever-burning fires (znicze) and flowers, I saw people selling tea and coffee, and fairy floss. What are they going to start selling next year? Balloons and hot dogs?