All saint's and all soul's day

Since days of old, the Lithuanian nation has believed in the afterlife. In paradise or heaven, the souls of the dead lived just like the living: they used the same tools, weapons and articles; they were joyful or sad; happy or unhappy. This depended in great part on the actions of the living after a person died. As a result the graves of the deceased were furnished with articles of daily life, weapons, and dishes. Everything was provided to keep the soul from the hardship in the afterlife, to prevent them from cursing the living and taking revenge or harm.

Written accounts have survived from the 14th and15th centuries stating that in autumn (probably the end of October or the beginning of November) Lithuanians celebrated a major feast during which they paid special tribute to their dead. This ancient memorial holiday was transferred to All Souls’ Day, also celebrated at the beginning of November. The feast gained rapid acceptance in Lithuania but its rituals still contain old customs and traditions.

All Souls’ Day follows All Saints’ Day (November 1st), a rather colorless feast day in Lithuania when compared to All Souls’ Day customs and traditions. All Saints’ Day (Visų Šventųjų šventė) is commemorated like any other church feast. But in recent years it has become more significant for Lithuanians in remembering all the saints who enjoy heavenly happiness, they also recall the thousands of Lithuanian martyrs murdered and persecuted for their faith and love of country. Despite the fact that most of them remain nameless and unknown, they should all be remembered in Holy Mass as a group for they are Lithuania’s true saints.