My understanding of All Saints' Day

Images of St. Joseph from the Roman Catholic Penang Diocesan Museum, Farquhar Street, Penang.

Can you name five saints, even if you are not Catholic? Perhaps the first name that springs to mind is St. Anne, the beloved grandmother of Jesus. Her legacy lives on in the beautiful church dedicated to her in Bukit Mertajam. Alongside her stands her daughter Mary, the mother of Jesus, figures whose stories resonate with many.

Statues of St. Anne with child Mary at the Minor Basilica of St. Anne in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

If you are familiar with the narrative of Jesus, you might also recognise the names of his twelve apostles – Peter, Andrew, James (son of Alphaeus), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Zebedee), Simon, Judas (son of James) and Judas Iscariot. While Judas Iscariot’s name remains shadowed by betrayal, the Church honours the rest as saints.

When travelling to beautiful churches around the world, particularly those in Italy, you will likely encounter statues of these saints, each telling its own story through artistry and devotion. Similarly, if you have friends with Christian names, there is a good chance that these names echo the names of saints.

Left: The statue of St. Joseph at the Minor Basilica of St. Anne in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
Right: A stained glass panel of St. Joseph at Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Before we delve into the celebration of All Saints' Day, let us first explore the definition of the word "saint". According to the Oxford Dictionary, a "saint" is defined as "a person that the Christian Church recognises as being very holy, because of the way they have lived or died".

The etymology of the word “saint” can be traced back to the Latin term sanctus, which means “holy".

Beautiful stained glass panels of St. Francis Xavier (left) and St. Aloysius Gonzaga (right) adorn the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Balik Pulau, Penang. Made in Bruges (Belgium), these panels were installed during the extension works of the church completed in 1894.

A gilded statue of St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle proudly stands in front of St. Xavier's Institution at Farquhar Street, Penang. He is patron saint for teachers of youth. I am proud to have been schooled here.

The process by which the Catholic Church canonises someone as a saint is a meticulous one, consisting of five distinct stages:

1. Waiting Period: Typically, a five-year waiting period is observed after the individual’s death. However, the Pope has the authority to waive this requirement if deemed appropriate.

2. "Servant of God": An open investigation is initiated to gather evidence about the person’s life and deeds, which includes witness testimonies. Once the case is accepted, the candidate is referred to as a "Servant of God".

3. Heroic Virtue: The candidate’s life is examined for evidence of "heroic virtue". The Congregation for the Causes of Saints reviews the collected evidence, and ultimately, it is the Pope who decides whether the person has demonstrated such virtue. If they have, the candidate is designated as "venerable".

4. Verified Miracle: A verified miracle, attributed to prayers made to the candidate after their death, must be established. This miracle often involves a sudden cure that lacks a logical medical explanation. Upon verification, the candidate is granted the title "blessed".

5. Canonisation: The final step involves the declaration of the deceased person as a saint. To reach this stage, a second miracle must be verified; however, martyrs only require one verified miracle for canonisation.

On 24 April 2021, St. Margaret of Città di Castello (1287–1320) was declared a saint through equipollent canonisation by Pope Francis, 701 years after her passing.

Margaret's life was marked by profound adversity – she was born blind and deformed. Unable to bear the stigma of her "disgraceful" appearance, her wealthy noble parents confined her to a cell adjacent to their castle church. In this isolation, her only companion and educator was the family chaplain. She spent her early childhood in solitude, dedicating herself to prayer.

Eventually, her parents abandoned her in Città di Castello after a failed attempt to seek miraculous healing at a Franciscan shrine. Left to fend for herself, she initially wandered through life until she found refuge with some nuns from the small community of Santa Margherita. However, her unparalleled asceticism rendered her too formidable for the nuns, who ultimately banished her.

Margaret was finally welcomed by a deeply pious married couple, Venturino and Grigia. She devoted herself to the formation and Christian education of children and cared for the poor and wretched of the city. Tragically, on 13 April 1320, at the age of 33, Margaret passed away as her illness worsened, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith and compassion that would echo through the centuries.

After her death, many miracles were reported, affirming her extraordinary sanctity. On 9 June 1558, when the bishop authorised the transfer of her body, those involved were astonished to discover it perfectly preserved. This miraculous preservation only deepened the reverence for her memory. On 19 October 1609, the Church officially recognised Margaret’s sanctity, proclaiming her "blessed" and designating 13 April as her feast day. This day has since become a time for reflection on her life and the virtues she embodied.

Today, St. Margaret, dressed in a Dominican habit, rests in a glass coffin beneath the high altar of the Church of St. Domenico in Città di Castello, Italy. Though the colouring of her body has darkened slightly and her dry skin appears hardened, her preservation remains remarkably intact.

St. Patrick has to be one of Ireland's most popular saints, celebrated annually all over the world on 17 March. In 2020, Penang held its 20th St. Patrick's ball as well as a street parade. It was not a religious affair but a celebration of all things Irish as Ireland's national day also falls on the same day.

The story of St. Margaret is just one among many saints who have been canonised throughout history. Another notable figure is St. Ulrich (or Ulric), who was born around 890 in Augsburg, Alemannia, and passed away on 4 July 973 in the same city. He holds the distinction of being the first person officially canonised by Pope John XV in 993.

However, it was not until 1588, 595 years later, that the canonisation process became centralised. This significant change was instituted by Pope Sixtus V when he established the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. This move not only formalised the process but also provided a structured approach to the recognition of saints, ensuring that their lives and deeds were thoroughly examined. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Roman Catholic Church currently recognises more than 10,000 saints.

The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs, probably painted by Fra Angelico. He was one of the principal painters of the Early Renaissance in Florence.

Now that we have delineated the definition of saints and the canonisation process, let us take a closer look at a solemn feast – All Saints' Day. Every year on 1 November, Roman Catholics around the world observe this day of obligation, honouring all saints, known and unknown. According to Merriam-Webster, the term "All Saints' Day" did not emerge until the 16th century. Before that, it was referred to by the Old English name: All Hallows' Day or All Hallows'. The word "hallow" comes from the Old English adjective hālig, which means "holy". This connection to holiness highlights the significance of the day in commemorating the lives of those who have exemplified virtuous living.

The evening before All Hallows' was originally known as All Hallows' Even, which eventually became shortened to Hallowe'en by the 16th century. Over time, the term began to lose its apostrophe and by the 18th century, it had evolved into the Halloween we recognise today. In contemporary times, Halloween has evolved into a celebration of its own, embraced in diverse forms, especially in the United States and has been adopted worldwide, including right here in Penang. While the modern festivities often focus on costumes and spooky themes, the original intent of honouring the saints still remains significant.

Another explanation of Halloween traces its origins back to an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. This religious festival marked the welcoming of the harvest and the ushering in of “the dark half of the year". Celebrated by the Celts, whose culture dates back to 1200 BCE, Samhain took place on 31 October. Participants believed that during Samhain, the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world would weaken, which is why the tradition of donning ghostly costumes persists even today.

While we can trace the origins of Halloween – what I believe should be called Samhain – we cannot pinpoint the beginnings of All Saints' Day with the same certainty. Originally, All Saints' Day was celebrated on 13 May, according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. It was Pope Boniface IV who formally initiated what would later become known as All Saints' Day on 13 May 609 AD, when he consecrated the Pantheon in Rome as a church in honour of Mother Mary and all the martyrs. Later, Pope Gregory III (731–741 AD) moved the date to 1 November when he dedicated a chapel in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in honour of all saints. Initially, it was merely a local celebration in Rome until Pope Gregory IV, in 837, ordered the official observance of All Saints' Day to be extended to the entire Church.

If I were to ask a child to draw a saint, they would likely depict a matchstick figure with a halo above its head – a recognisable image reminiscent of The Saint, the British mystery spy thriller television series from the 1960s.

How did the halo become a spiritual symbol hovering over the head of a saint? Peering back through the veils of time, we find that the halo was present in Zoroastrian art dating back to 1500 BCE. Even further back, in 2890 BCE, the ancient Egyptian god Ra was depicted with a round halo. In the realm of art history, the rapid migration of the halo across cultures is particularly noteworthy, serving as a universal religious symbol of divinity. It has appeared in the sacred art of Ancient Greece and Rome, as well as in Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity, among other faiths. In the 21st century, the halo stands as a powerful reminder of humanity's shared cultural heritage.

To me, a saint seeks the truth and conquers oneself – a true "mountain" climber of faith whose heart is touched by every little sorrow yet remains resilient, so strong that not even death can shatter it. A saint is not defined by thoughts or words but by actions – constantly helping those around them. They should not be recognised merely by a halo or revered only after their passing. In fact, all those living among us are also saints – you and I included – when we extend a helping hand, lend a listening ear, or touch the hearts of others through our deeds. All Saints' Day serves as a poignant reminder of my connectedness to the heart of humanity.

I believe that we are all granted sainthood! Thus, on All Saints Day, think of and give thanks to all, especially to those whose lives have touched others. Let us find inspiration in all around us, alive or departed.

------------------------------------- 
Written and photographed by Adrian Cheah (otherwise credited)
© All rights reserved.
Updated 31 October 2024