Since young, I have always thought that Halloween was some pagan American creation meant to amuse the kids. Until recently, I learnt that it is not from a friend.
As explained by my friend while he was attending mass in church, Halloween has the word "hallow" which is old form for "Holy". It is celebrated on 31 Oct for a good reason -- it is the eve of "All Saints' Day" which Catholics celebrate as a Day of Obligation (compulsory to attend mass, in plain speak). And that's how the Halloween's origins came about.
Apparently, the old celebration of All Saints' Day was known as "Holy Martyrs' Day". It attracted believers in the early church to go on a pilgrimage to the tombs and catacombs of the early church martyrs. Arriving early, (31 Oct) they decided to amuse themselves, and hid in the tombs and scare their fellow pilgrims with their disguise and "whoooo!" calls. Since it is the eve of All Saints' Day, the called it "Halloween", meaning "Holy Eve".
Of course now the day is commercialised, much like Christmas without the "Christ". (Incidentally "Christmas means Christ's mass).
It sure took me 29 years to realise the true meaning to Hallow (hope it did not take you that long to realise this)
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