Today 1 November is All Saints Day which is believed to have been established in the early part of the fourth century and was known as 'Martyrs Day'. It is the day when all Christian saints, those we know and those we don't, are honoured. Western Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans celebrate this feast today whereas the Eastern Orthodox churches observe it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
All Saints is not a Public Holiday in Trinidad but the tradition of the living, visiting the family grave in preparation for All Souls on the 2 November is very much part of its culture. Tonight some Trinidadians will be putting lighted candles in their windows carrying out the age old belief that 'lost souls' will be able to find their way home.
For more detail of origins: http://expatbeesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/all-saints-day.html#comment-form
Blessings to you on this solemn Holy Day, Bee. I like the idea of placing a candle in the window tonight. I've never done that. I will try to remember to do so in memory of our parents and for the many others who are forgotten and have no one to pray for them anymore.
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