All Saints Day

On November 1st, Portugal celebrates All Saints' Day.
This day serves as a tribute to all the saints of the Catholic Church so that even those who do not have a special day dedicated to them do not remain forgotten in time.
This day is a holiday in Portugal, but it has not always been so. In 2012, during the crisis, which forced a decrease in the number of civil and religious holidays, the church reinstated November 1st as a holiday again in 2016. This date is important for Portuguese Christian families. Throughout the country, this day is synonymous with family gatherings and honoring those who have passed away.
This tribute is done differently according to customs and traditions in different regions of the country.

The most common tradition is visiting cemeteries. It is customary on this day to offer gifts to the graves of deceased relatives and beautify their tombstones with floral arrangements and candles. Another common tradition, throughout the country, is attending masses prayed for by family members on behalf of the departed. In a way, it is a symbolic act to remember all those who have already passed, much like in Mexico, on the well-known "Day of the Dead". In Anglo-Saxon countries, there is a belief that on October 31st, the eve of All Saints' Day, the souls of the dead descend to earth in their birthplaces.

Therefore, Halloween is celebrated that night (Day of the Witches). With globalization and the speed at which all global events spread today, Halloween, although not a Portuguese custom, is already adopted in many places, even if it is just in parties and dances or in the traditional "trick or treat" performed by children from all neighborhoods. The reality is that although Halloween has been growing visibly in our country, especially among children, our tradition dates back to medieval times, when "Bread for God" was born. This belief is connected to generosity towards the less fortunate. On the morning of November 1st, it was customary for children to walk the streets of their community knocking on doors and saying the phrase "Bread for God".

In return, they expected to receive offerings of food (bread, cakes, fruit, or dried fruits). Nowadays, in some neighborhoods, this tradition still takes place, but instead of the old offerings, children expect to receive candy or a few coins. In summary, All Saints' Day in Portugal is an important celebration for our people, combining tradition, religion, and culture. It is a moment of reflection on life and death, as well as family unity and tribute to loved ones who have passed away. In addition, this celebration also brings together members of communities and strengthens social ties that are often lost in daily life. It is undoubtedly a tradition that provides everyone with a connection between the past, present, and future of all of us.


Author: Cláudia Ferreira