Toussaint: A day to remember

Toussaint (All Saints' Day) and Halloween are the perfect excuses to share some photographs I have taken in cemeteries during the past year.

Cemetery at L'église Saint-Macaire in Lauzun (47)

The Toussaint holiday is well regarded in France. Known in English as All Saints' Day, the day is one to spend with family and to remember relatives who have died. Many people visit cemeteries and lay chrysanthemums on the graves of loved ones. The actual holiday is on Nov. 1, and schools are off for two weeks around this time —this year from Oct. 20 to Nov. 2.

 

Cemetery at L'église Notre-Dame in Mérignas (33)

Cemetery at L'église Notre-Dame in Mérignas (33)

Toussaint is not mentioned in the bible. It was founded in the 7th century by Pope Boniface IV to honor Christian martyrs who were massacred by the Romans. The day was celebrated on May 13 until the 9th century, when it was moved to Nov. 1 by Pope Gregory IV. The following day, Nov. 2, is All Souls' Day, and both are somewhat linked with Halloween on Oct. 31. All Hallows' Day is another name for All Saints' Day, thus the day before became All Hallows' Eve, and eventually Halloween.

Cemetery at L'église Saint-Macaire in Lauzun (47)

Ancient gravestones in Castelmoron-sur-Lot (47)

For American children, Halloween is a favorite holiday with its costumes, candy and decorations. It's not celebrated with same fervor everywhere in France, but in my little village, it has become tradition for the kids to gather in the town square to carve jack-o-lanterns. Last year we had nearly 100 trick-or-treaters knock on our door. Hope we have enough candy this year. Thankfully, American "tricks" — which include eggs, toilet paper and shaving cream — have not caught on in France.

Cemetery at L'église Saint-Macaire in Lauzun (47)

Cemetery at L'église Saint-Macaire in Lauzun (47)

Cemetery at L'église Sainte-Florence (33)

Cemetery at L'église Sainte-Florence (33)

Note: I gleaned some of the background information for this article from an Oct. 3, 2016 article by Andy David on linternaute.com. I am grateful for the help.