Throughout the year, we celebrate the wide array of individuals, groups, and cultures at La Salle by calling to mind various holidays, observances, and commemorative days that provide our campus with an opportunity to learn and to become involved as they desire. Learn more about the recognitions taking place across the globe and throughout the country during the months of October and November, including:
Samhain and Halloween
Celebrated on Oct. 31, Samhain was first observed by Celtic Pagans and marked the Celtic New Year, the end of summer, and the end of the harvest season. The Holiday signaled the beginning of winter, which Pagans associated with death. It was considered a time when the veil between the physical world and the Otherworld was thin, allowing spirits of the dead to visit the living. Rituals may include dancing, feasting, being in nature, and building altars to honor ancestors. Samhain is the origin of Halloween.
All Saints Day and All Souls Day
Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2
In the Catholic faith, Nov. 1 is the liturgical feast of the solemnity of All Saints, a Holy Day of Obligation. Nov. 2 is All Souls Day, the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. During these early November celebrations, those of us still living unite our hearts with, and in a special way remember, the faithful departed, whether they be in heaven or in purgatory.
Celebrating Diwali
Diwali or Deepavali is also known as the Festival of Lights and is a significant festival for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. This year it will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 31, the new moon day of the month of Kartik in the lunar calendar. One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, it symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance." Oct. 31 is also specially dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity and good fortune. The five-day festivities begins on Oct. 28 with Dhanteras and concludes on Nov. 3 with Bhaiya Dooj.
Día de los Muertos
Also known as the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion. It is a blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion, and Spanish culture. It is celebrated each year from Oct. 31–Nov. 2, with Oct. 31 being Halloween and Nov. 2 being All Souls Day in the Catholic Church. On the Day of the Dead, it’s believed that the border between the spirit world and the real world dissolves. During this brief period, the souls of the dead awaken and return to the living world to feast, drink, dance, and play music with their loved ones. In turn, the living family members treat the deceased as honored guests in their celebrations and leave the deceased’s favorite foods and other offerings at gravesites or on the ofrendas built in their homes. The most prominent symbols related to the Day of the Dead are calacas (skeletons) and calaveras (skulls). Visit the altar/offrenda in the Union Lobby from Oct. 28–Nov. 2 if people want to add a photo of deceased friends and family
