All Saints' Day in Spain

Date: November 1st

History: All Saints' Day, known as "Día de Todos los Santos" in Spain, is a Catholic tradition honoring all saints, known and unknown, who have reached the glory of Heaven. It has its origins in the early Christian practice of commemorating martyrs. By the 9th century, Pope Gregory IV formalized the day for the entire Church.

Traditions:

• Visiting Cemeteries: Spaniards visit cemeteries to clean and decorate family graves with flowers—often chrysanthemums—candles, and sometimes personal items.

• Religious Services: Many attend Mass or special church services to pray for deceased relatives and all saints.

• Offerings and Memorials: Offerings are made, including lighting candles as a sign of remembrance. Small altars or memorials might also be set up at home.

• Huesos de Santo & Panellets: Traditional sweets such as "Huesos de Santo" (Saint's Bones) made from marzipan and "Panellets" (small cakes or cookies) are consumed.

What People Do:

• Families gather together during this time to remember their loved ones.
• It's a public holiday in Spain; schools and most businesses are closed.
• Cultural events like concerts or exhibitions themed around life, death, and remembrance might take place.

The day is not only about mourning but also a celebration of life and heritage. It provides an opportunity for reflection on the continuity between life and death, drawing families closer together in shared memories.