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• The celebration was an initiative that began in France in 2002 and was later brought to Spain | Photo: Huelva 24

On October 31, people in different parts of the world dress up to celebrate Christmas Eve. Halloweenan activity criticized by religious people considering that it is related to spiritualism or satanism. On the other hand, on November 1, Catholics and some Christians celebrate the Holywinsa play on words meaning “holiness wins” or “the saints win.”

He Holywins It was an initiative that began in Paris (France) in 2002 and was then taken to Spain by the Diocese of Alcalá de Henares, since then the celebration has spread throughout the world.

According to the religious blog The School of Faiththis activity seeks to “encourage breaking the cult of death and the exaltation of the monstrous” to celebrate the “triumph of life and promote beauty and goodness.”

Catholic websites report that the similarity between the words Halloween y Holywins It’s not a coincidence. On the blog of Mother Most Pure of the Jesuits They specify that with this term the religious seek to help reinforce “the Christian festival of all saints.”

How to celebrate the day of Holywins

Both the Catholic Church and some Christians try to make the Holywins be an attractive option for young people who wish to celebrate this time, with a different approach than Halloween.

For him Holywins Children and adolescents participate in games, share testimonies, songs and also dress up, but unlike the well-known “witches night”, young people dress up simulating their favorite saints.

The celebration may vary depending on the place where it is held, but it is common for churches to hold masses and vigils to commemorate the lives of the saints and pray for the dead. There are also plays, talks and processions.

All Hallows

Holywins coincides with All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated every November 1 in most Catholic countries.

During this day, the Catholic Church celebrates a solemn feast for all the deceased who, after overcoming purgatory, achieved the beatific vision and can enjoy eternal life.

However, they not only venerate the blessed or saints who are on the list of the canonized; but also to those who are not canonized.

This date is often confused with that of the Faithful Dead, which is celebrated on November 2 and, for the Catholic Church, its objective is to pray for all the souls that are in a state of purification in purgatory.

Origin of All Saints’ Day

Initially, All Saints’ Day was celebrated on May 13. The date was established by Pope Boniface IV in the year 609 when he dedicated the Pantheon in Rome (Italy) as a church in honor of the Virgin Mary and all the martyrs.

Later, Pope Gregory III established that the holiday would be celebrated on November 1, when he dedicated the chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in honor of the saints.

According to Catholic OnlineWithin the Catholic Church, on All Saints’ Day, religious are obliged to go to mass, although some exceptions are considered, such as illness. However, this is not mandatory if the holiday falls on a Monday or Saturday as they are not “percept” days.

Percept day

According to the rules of the Catholic Church, on the day of obligation the faithful are obliged to participate in mass and abstain from work or activities that interfere with worship and rest.

These days usually coincide with important religious celebrations such as:

-Day of Saint Mary (January 1)
-Epiphany of the Lord (January 6)
-Day of Saint Joseph, husband of the blessed Virgin Mary (March 19)
-James the Apostle (July 15)

During All Saints’ Day in some Catholic countries people have the day off and most businesses remain closed. While in nations like the Philippines, people not only remember the martyrs but also honor their deceased loved ones.

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