Woodlands Academy celebrates what follows Halloween as well

Members of the Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart community joined in traditional All Saints Day and Day of the Dead observances that included an All Saints Mass at the Lake Forest all-girls college-prep high school on

Nov. 1 and continuing through the next day.

All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows Day, is a Christian festival celebrated in honor of all saints, known and unknown. In Western Christianity, it is celebrated on Nov. 1 by the Roman Catholic Church and such Protestant denominations as the Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church and Church of the Nazarene.

Day of the Dead (aka All Souls Day) is celebrated throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. This multi-day observance is often referred to as "the Days of the Dead" because it encompasses Oct. 31 (Halloween aka All Hallows Eve), Nov. 1 (All Saints Day) and Nov. 2 (Day of the Dead). During this time, family and friends gather to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died as well as helping to support their spiritual journey. Day of the Dead is observed not as a day of sadness but rather as a day of celebration because, in Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle.

Members of the Woodlands Academy community created a traditional Day of the Dead altar outside the school's chapel displaying various remembrances of loved ones who have passed away. In addition to photos, the altar included items that were treasured by those honored. A new form of remembrance took place during the All Saints Mass. Names of deceased relatives submitted by members of the Woodlands community were read immediately following Prayers of the Faithful.

The Christian celebrations of All Saints' Day and Day of the Dead stem from a belief that there is a powerful spiritual bond between those in Heaven and the living. In Roman Catholic theology, the observance commemorates all who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. In United Methodist theology, All Saints Day revolves around "giving God solemn thanks for the lives and deaths of his saints." As such, individuals throughout the Church Universal are honored, such as Paul the Apostle, Augustine of Hippo and John Wesley.

Woodlands Academy's observance of the season began on a lighter note a few days earlier. Students, faculty and staff alike joined in the fun of the annual Halloween costume competition organized by the school's spirit committee. Following displays of group and individual creativity in the dining room at lunchtime, winners were declared in various categories based on the audience's reaction.

Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It's part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries. A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy's identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat's desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve. For more information about Woodlands Academy, please visit www.woodlandsacademy.org