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| Private shrine to my ancestors and the Holy Souls in Purgatory |
Júdicant sancti gentes, et dominántur pópulis: et regnábit Dóminus Deus illórum in perpétuum. Ps. 32, 1 Exsultáte, justi, in Dómino: rectos decet collaudátio. V. Glória Patri.October 31st is the Vigil of All Saints Day. Popularly known as Halloween, or All Hallows' Eve, the celebration is the beginning of Hallowtide, a three day observance (Triduum) that includes the Feasts of All Saints Day on Nov. 1st and All Souls Day on Nov. 2nd. Traditionally a day of prayer, fasting, and abstinence, the faithful prepare themselves for the month of November, which is dedicated to the souls of the dead, and contemplate the reality of Hell and how to avoid eternal damnation.
The saints judge nations, and rule over people: and the Lord their God shall reign forever. Ps. 32, 1. Rejoice in the Lord, ye just: praise becometh the upright. V Glory. ~ Introit. Wis 3, 8
In celebration, I’m posting the introit and the collect of All Hallows' Eve in Latin and English. The accompanying photo is my perpetual shrine devoted to my ancestors and the poor and forgotten Souls in Purgatory. The cast-iron skull serves as a memento mori, or a reminder of death, and rests on a miniature oriental rug that once decorated my mother's doll house; the Crucifixion nails are a reminder of Our Lord's sacrifice and were given to me by my father; the Rosary belonged to my paternal grandmother; the rose pin is a symbol of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower and our familial patroness; and the prayer card is for St. Gertrude the Great, patroness of Naples and devotee to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
The Collect of All Hallows' Eve
Dómine Deus noter, multíplica super nos grátiam tuam: et, quorum prævenímus gloriósa solémnia, tribue súbsequi in dsancta professióne lætitiam. Per Dominum.
O Lord, our God, multiply Thy graces upon us, and grant that joy may follow in the holy praise of those whose glorious festival we anticipate. Through our Lord.
