After the Halloween craziness has died down, let’s take some time to reflect on its origins. The word Halloween is first attested in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All-Hallows-Even (“evening”), that is, the night before All Hallows Day.
The first two days in November “Allerheiligen”, November 1st and “Allerseelen”, November 2nd are two holy days devoted to all of the saints (known and unknown) and to all of the “faithful departed”. In the Roman Catholic Church officially the Solemnity of All Saints and also called All Hallows or Hallowmas, often shortened to All Saints.