Speaking of Spirit

    Fra Angelico [Public domain] Many years ago, as a young girl, I would sit transfixed studying this painting by Fra Angelico. I tried to name the Saints pictured, many of them familiar thanks to the Sisters of St. Joseph and my mother. I remember asking Momma why we prayed to the Saints. She told me that Saints were like the Angels. They helped God take care of people. Made sense to me. Today is All Saints' day. I learned long ago that Saints aren't simply Catholic.  Many cultures have Saints, so it would seem that this is a very special day for many. To my favorite Saints (the ones I go to when I need a little extra help in life) St. Michael - the Archangel, St. Anthony, St. Theresa - the Little Flower, St. Jude, and Mother Mary, I offer prayers of thanks for all the protection and guidance given me through 60+ years of life. May the Saints be with us all as we travel through life.  Blessings! 

Ancestor veneration is practiced around the world in many countries. The rites and rituals are based on the belief that our ancestors, as well as the souls of those who have gone on before us, still play a role in our daily lives.  Thousands of years ago, my Celtic ancestors honored the dead during the observance of Samhain (pronounced SOW-in in Ireland). They welcomed their dead home, asked that the harvested fields become fertile once more, and warned off restless spirits with grotesquely carved turnips. A sacred fire was lit atop Tlachtga , while on Tara members of the Irish tribes gathered. All the fires in Ireland would be extinguished at this time. Families would light a torch from the great fire on Tlachtga, bring it home and relighting their home fires, which were kept burning year round.  This was a time of endings and beginnings. A time to gather in and cast off. A time to remember and a time to forget. Summer and all its glories were past; winter w...

Around the world, during the months of October and November, people celebrate various observances for those who have died. Honoring the dead during is different from culture to culture. Yet, many of the old ways inform how we celebrate and honor the dead, today Halloween comes from an ancient Pagan feast called, Samhain.  This was part harvest celebration and part feast of the dead, because the Pagan people of Ireland and Great Britain believed that during this time of the year, the veil that separated this life from the next was lifted.  They believed their dead ancestors would come to visit, along with unwelcome spirits.  The creation of jack-o-lanterns was a way to keep unwanted ghosts from visiting.      Image via Wikipedia   JACK-O-LANTERNS Later, this celebration was divided into two celebrations - All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The faithful would celebrate all the saints, asking for help or intercession in the year ...