Unlike last Halloween, which was not celebrated at all (by me anyway) because of language school, this Halloween...our very international group of missioners from 5 different countries, celebrated together at Marga & Hoja's home! Three SMA priests, two from India and one from Poland; three SMA lay missioners (Holland), one SMA lay missioner (USA)...(me); one Maryknoll priest (USA), seven Maryknoll lay missioners (USA), and one Maryknoll lay missioner (Tanzania) all gathered to celebrate!
Because Halloween is celebrated as a secular holiday, mainly in the USA, those in attendance from other countries were curious as to how Halloween originated. The word "Halloween" means "hallowed evening" or "holy evening". The reason for celebrating it on October 31st is because November 1st is "All Saints Day" on the Catholic Christian calendar. There are many customs associated with Halloween. Here are just a few...In France, some Christian families, on the night of All Hallows' Eve, prayed beside the graves of their loved ones, setting down dishes full of milk for them. In Italy, some families left a large meal out for the ghosts of their passed relatives, before they departed for church services. In Spain, on this night, special pastries are baked, known as "bones of the holy", and are put on the graves in the churchyard, a practice that continues to this day. In many countries, jack-o'-lanterns are traditionally carried by those in costume in order to frighten evil spirits. There is a popular Irish Christian folktale associated with the jack-o'-lantern, which is said to represent a "soul who has been denied entry into both heaven and hell.
At our celebration...a few dressed in costume, Richard (Maryknoll) brought nose whistles for entertainment (which everyone tried), we had interesting "finger food", good drinks and all-around fun!
THE COSTUMES
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| Ashley, Martin & Michael (Maryknoll lay missioners) |
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| Kristle, Ashley & Michael (Maryknoll lay) |
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| Michael & Ashley (married couple) & Jean (SMA) |
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| Fr. Prabu (SMA), Richard (Maryknoll) & Fr. Simon (SMA) |
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| Chris & Katie (Maryknoll married couple) |
THE GUESTS
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| Joanne & Martin (Maryknoll married couple for over 30 yrs!) |
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| Chris, Mara (SMA), Kristle, Jean & Marga (SMA) |
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| Fr. Jim (Maryknoll) & Fr. Janusz (SMA) |
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| Mara, Marga, Katie, Corine (SMA) & Kristle enjoying drinks & "finger food"! |
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FOOD & DRINKS
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| Marga & Mara preparing the food |
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| Corine & Katie preparing "mojito" (rum drink) |
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| Everyone enjoying the meal |
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| Finger food prepared by Katie |
ENTERTAINMENT
Richard brought nose whistles for everyone to try and anyone who successfully made a sound with the whistle was given a lollipop as a reward. Richard said it took him hours before he could make a sound. Some of the others managed to play a tune right away, although not nearly as well as Richard. We all had fun trying, and some of the comments were really comical!
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| Katie suggested...maybe the spouses of those who managed to whistle should receive a reward! |
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| nose whistles & rewards |
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