Cultural: All Soul's Day - Nov. 2

Recently I saw a post or two on Facebook that had me thinking that maybe people think that these days are all the same - so I thought I’d take the time to differentiate for you.

I know this is ahead of time but we want to feature Rachael’s trip to Houston among things later this week - so this is early.

Many people do not realize that All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day are actually different days!

On a practical level here in Poland, many people who haven’t had time to visit the graves of their loved ones on November 1 use the 2nd (if they can get there) to visit the graves of the rest of the family members.

Technically speaking, this day is intended to reflect and remember and pray for all those who passed away - something that those of the Roman Catholic faith often do. (November first is theoretically for the SAINTS only).

The word in Polish is actually All Soul’s Day - Dzien Zaduszny.

Practicing Roman Catholics tend to go to mass on this day. This day is not a bank holiday like November 1 is, however, and schools will be meeting if it doesn’t fall on a day that they decide to take off. This year November 1, which was a bank holiday, is on a Wednesday. When our kids were in school this meant that they had to go to school both before and after the 1st if the holiday falls on a Wednesday. However, if November 1 falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, they would usually get that extra day off as well - like Americans get Friday off after Thanksgiving. I’m not sure what will happen this year. Because so many people are on the roads, travelling, having an extra day off really does help families and teachers get this job done. It is a very strong tradition here, to visit the graves, clean them up and put flowers or candles on them - all of them. If you don’t do it either the 31st, 1st or 2nd, you are considered a lazy or not a very faithful relative.

Plus, I’ve noticed that the Polish schools have gotten way more lax when it comes to giving kids off for these holidays than when we first came here in 1994!!! Back then they had to go to school on Saturdays sometimes to make up for a missed day because of a holiday!

While most actually go to work this day, it is still a day that people get together with family if possible. Many people do travel many kilometers and long hours. If people can take the extra day off - today - they will often be travelling in the evening to get back home to their own home and ready for the work on the 3rd of November. However, because the 3rd this year is a Friday, well, many people will try to take a vacation day and get the day off to make a longer ‘weekend’ or even a full week off.

This holiday, combined with the 1st - All Soul’s Day - claims the lives of many as there are dozens of car accidents throughout the country as so many people are on the roads.

I was told that some people do leave bread or some other food items on the graves for the spirits of the dead.

However, I’ve not actually seen that, and I would think that it would just bring rodents to the grave sites.

(I had a friend tell me this about bringing food - and she definitely believed in ghosts - though I’m not sure if the typical Polish person in Poland thinks they are wandering around - I’ve not had the nerve to ask people.)

Here is a more complete article about this day.

So here you go.

I’m personally grateful when these two holidays are over with. The focus on the dead and death is depressing to me, but from what I understand, the average Polish person actually doesn’t mind this time at all - and because the cemeteries are all so pretty (see yesterday’s post), they like how it all looks.

As a believer, when I think of my dad, I actually think of him in Heaven - and not in the grave, so that’s a bit different, but I do still miss him even though he passed away in 2015! And, in general, I just miss all of my family on holidays - as none of our relatives are here in Poland. So I’m ready to move on!

Thanks so much for coming along with me on this journey1

Have a great day wherever you are reading this!

Becky PetersenComment