Editor’s note: This article is part of a series answering religious questions. Each week, we will answer one submitted faith question. This week’s question was not submitted but was a timely divergence. To send a submission, visit timesfreepress.com/religionquestions or email wmassey@timesfreepress.com.
Question: What is the history of Halloween and Christianity?
The people of what is now Ireland, Scotland and Wales have celebrated the Celtic holiday of Samhain for centuries and had been celebrating it for centuries when Christianity moved into the region in the 5th century.
Samhain is a seasonal festival marking the end of the harvest and the start of winter, as well as the new year, said Regina Hansen, Boston University master lecturer on topics of the supernatural. The holiday – celebrated from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 – was a time when people believed the veil between the human world and the spiritual world was lifted. People made food offerings to appease the spirits and bonfires were lit, Hansen said.
When Christian missionaries came into Ireland, Scotland or Wales in the 5th century, they recognized the cultural value of Samhain and began a process of baptizing the celebration to make it more Christian, rather than denouncing local traditions and risk losing audiences, Hansen said.