Every October, pumpkins appear on porches and doorsteps, many carved with frightening faces and illuminated from within. But did you know that the original jack-o'-lanterns weren't pumpkins at all?
They were turnips!
The tradition comes from Ireland, where people hollowed out turnips, carved faces into them, and placed burning coals or candles inside. The custom is associated with an old Irish folktale about a man known as Stingy Jack, who supposedly tricked the devil and, after his death, was condemned to wander the earth carrying a glowing coal inside a hollowed-out turnip.
The Irish began carving their own lanterns, sometimes placing them near their doors to frighten away wandering spirits. When Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, they discovered that pumpkins were plentiful, larger, and much easier to carve.
But what does any of this have to do with Catholicism?
The connection is found in the Catholic roots of Halloween itself. Halloween comes from All Hallows' Eve, the evening before All Saints' Day on November 1. The word hallow means holy, and the Church sets aside this solemnity to honor all the saints in heaven, both those officially canonized and the countless others whose names are known only to God.
The following day, November 2, is All Souls' Day, when the Church remembers and prays for the faithful departed, especially the souls in purgatory.
For Catholics, these days are a reminder that death is not the end of our story. We are all called to become saints, and our time on earth is an opportunity to prepare for eternal life.
Of course, the legend of Stingy Jack is folklore, not Catholic teaching. But it is interesting that a custom associated with wandering souls and the darkness of death became part of a season when the Church turns our attention toward heaven, the saints, and those who have gone before us.
So the next time you see a jack-o'-lantern glowing on someone's doorstep, remember that behind this familiar Halloween decoration is a much older tradition, one that can remind us of something far more important than a carved pumpkin.
Answering the call to holiness begins with small, daily prayers. Our Sacred Heart Prayer Mug offers one to carry into your morning: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like yours.” As you enjoy your coffee or tea, ask Jesus to help you grow in the humility and love that marked the lives of the saints.
