Mid to late October is normally a beautiful time of the year in Cajun Country, and the weather lately has been no different. For many years, this very pleasant weather that usually lasts throughout the month has helped devout Catholics of southwest Louisiana to prepare for one of the major religious holidays of the year: La fête de Toussaint. This is the Cajun French name for All Saints’ Day, and it is has been one of the most reverent celebrations of our culture. While customs varied in different parts of Acadiana, parents and children would traditionally set aside their normal routines for at least one day out of the year to tend the burial places of deceased family members, and prepare it for the day of prayer, le Jour des Morts, or All Souls Day. A description of different traditions of our Cajun culture found in a book published in the 1950’s said this about La fête de Toussaint in Louisiana:
“Possibly nowhere in America is All Saints’ Day observed so strikingly as it is among the Louisiana French. For days preceding it, each family will clean, whitewash or paint the tombs, prepare artificial flowers, design wreaths and place these on the tombs. Among the financially better fixed, chrysanthemums and dahlias are used in decorating the graves. Before the expansion of the Church as we have it today, family and neighborhood cemeteries were common. In the afternoon of All-Saints’ Day, the blessing of the graves takes place. A procession is held around the cemetery. The priest is at the head; the people follow. The beads are recited while the blessing is taking place. The ceremony ends with a sermon and the singing of the Libera. In some sections where the priest cannot assist, candles are lit at dusk, one for each member deceased and an all night vigil is held. Where outdoor altars exist, Mass is celebrated in the cemeteries on All Souls Day.”
All Saints’ Day falls on a Sunday this year, and so it will be celebrated next Sunday, November 1. All Souls’ Day follows on Monday, November 2. We will observe the following schedule this year:
CEMETERY BLESSING SCHEDULE:
Sunday, November 1st
St. David (Rosary then blessing) 3:30 pm
Broussard Cemetery 4:30 pm
Lege Cemetery 5:15 pm
Monday, November 2nd
Gueydan Cemetery (Holy Mass & blessing) 9:00 am
***Please bring lawn chairs to sit.***
