These days are celebrated on the 1st and the 2nd of November.
All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day are two significant holidays observed in Malta, steeped in tradition and religious reverence. These days, celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November, respectively, hold deep spiritual and cultural significance for the Maltese people.
All Saints' Day, known as "Jum il-Qaddisin" in Maltese, is a day dedicated to commemorating all the saints, known and unknown, who have lived holy and virtuous lives.
On this day, the Maltese attend special church services, where the lives of the saints are celebrated, and the faithful gather to honour the memory of these exemplary individuals. Many people visit cemeteries to pay their respects to their deceased loved ones and offer prayers.
St John’s Co-Cathedral also posted about an interesting fact that dates back to when the knights were in Malta. It is noted that the knights commemorate the Feast of All Saints with great reverence.
They first assembled in the Oratory of St. John's Beheading, where they had communion and then participated in a pontifical ceremony. They honoured the saints' relics, which are often housed in the reliquary caskets in the St. Charles Borromeo Chapel. The reliquary caskets were removed from the Chapel and set on the Main Altar to honour the Saints on this specific day.
All Souls' Day, which happens on the 2nd of November, is a day to remember and pray for the souls of the departed. It is a time for the living to reflect on their loved ones who have passed away and offer prayers for the repose of their souls.
Cemeteries come alive with the presence of families tending to the graves of their dearly departed, cleaning and decorating them with flowers and candles. The atmosphere is one of reflection, remembrance, and hope for the souls of the departed.
The Maltese people hold these days in high regard, as they signify a connection between the living and the deceased, emphasising the belief in the afterlife and the importance of prayer and remembrance. Both All Saints' and All Souls' Days reflect Malta's deeply rooted Catholic faith and the cultural importance of remembering and honouring ancestors and loved ones.
However, it’s not all gloom and doom in November. The Maltese are known for their sweet tooth and November brings its own sweet treat too: a treat known as ‘Dead man's bones,’ or Għadam tal-Mejtin, is created specifically in Malta to commemorate All Saints' Day and all souls throughout the entire month of November.
This treat takes the form of a shaped pastry, filled with almonds, and shaped like bones. Italy also has something similar to Malta’s treat called ‘Ossi dei Morti,’ which is smaller and devoid of stuffing. It's possible that the Italian influence was the source of this Maltese confection.
Have you had your first ‘għadma tal-mejtin' of the year yet?