The Gregorian solemn All Hallows’ Eve took place on October 31 at 8 p.m. in the church under the invocation of Divine Mercy at Divine Mercy St. in Krakow.
The Rectory Church of Divine Mercy is a new place to celebrate our All Saints’ Day. It is probably the oldest church of this name in Poland, and even in the world – you can see its interior in the video below.
It is worth mentioning that today’s name Halloween is most likely a shortened All Hallows’ E’en, i.e. the earlier All Hallows’ Eve.
The General Introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours contains recommendations regarding the celebration of liturgical vigils. “The Fathers and spiritual writers have very often exhorted the faithful, especially those who lead a. contemplative life, to pray at night. By this they seek to encourage them to look forward to the Lord’s coming; ‘At midnight there was a cry, “The bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him”’ (Matthew 25:6). ‘So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep’ (Mark 13:35–36). It is therefore praiseworthy to retain the nocturnal character of the Office of Readings.”
The Vigilantes chorale group consists of people fascinated by prayer and chorale singing. Even though there are people with musical education among them, they do not meet to deal with the chorale in a specialized way, trying to recreate its original sound or prepare a concert – they want the chorale to come to life again – the neumes have become music thanks to which the participants of the celebration will they could glorify God.
