All Souls’ Day
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
All Souls’ Day (Festa dei Morti): Observed on November 2nd, this holy day is devoted to the memory of all departed souls. A rite of purification is performed as part of observance. A priest, holding an aspersorium (a vessel holding holy water) and censer containing burning incense, leads a procession to the cemetery (campo santo) while singing a Miserere, (a piece of a cappella religious music based on the 51st Psalm). Reaching a point where he can overlook the burial ground, he offers up prayers to those whose remains lie there. Holy water is sprinkled on the ground and the incense is waved through the air. Scholars state that this ceremony is a survival of that performed during the ancient Roman festival of Feralia. Although celebrated at a different time of year (Feb. 21/22), this ancient ceremony also honored the spirits of the dead this a nearly identical ceremony.