Did you know that the origin of the Christian celebration of All Saints' Day dates back to the second century? At this time some Christians began to celebrate those who had been persecuted and martyred for their faith. However, the regular commemoration only started in the 6th century, on May 13, 609 or 610, when Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon to Mary and all the martyrs. This date was changed when Pope Gregory III (731-741) dedicated a chapel in Rome to all people who had lived lives according to the Gospel and were therefore considered saints. The Pope also ordered that the solemnity be henceforth celebrated on 1 November.

Although it is claimed that All Souls' Day was a Catholic holy day, its origin dates back to the Middle Ages where the belief was popular that, on that day, souls in purgatory could appear in different forms. On October 31, the eve of All Saints' Day, in Anglo-Saxon countries, there is a belief that the souls of the dead descend to earth in the places of birth. The term originates from the English expression "All Hallow's Eve" that is, the Eve of All Saints.

In Portugal, the 1st of November is a national holiday and is linked to the tradition of Pão por Deus, when children go out into the street and gather in small groups to ask for bread for God from door to door. When they ask God for bread, they recite verses and receive bread, bread, cakes, pomegranates, nuts, almonds or chestnuts as an offering. All Saints' Day was already called the Day of Bread by God in the 15th century, when food was shared among the poorest. This habit spread a year after the great earthquake of 1755, which happened precisely on the 1st of November and destroyed a large part of Lisbon. In 1756, people walked through the streets of Lisbon, knocking on doors and asking for any alms or offering, using the phrase “Pão, por Deus”. In return many received bread, cakes and other food to honor their dead.

Until the middle of the 20th century, Pão por Deus was a commemoration that tried to help the poorest people. In the 60s and 70s of the 20th century, the date began to be celebrated in a more playful way. And from the 1980s onwards, the tradition began to disappear.
Children, when they ask for Bread for God, recite verses and receive offerings that they place inside their cloth bag.
"Bread for God,
Faithful of God,
cookie in the bag,
You walk with God”.

Times change, but we can preserve some of the traditions. If you feel inspired by the story, and you have that possibility, you can make a difference and make an offering to an association that helps the needy.