The first snow has fallen here in Munich last week already. Whenever it starts getting cold and the winter, I am happy. Because that means that All Saints' Day is coming. I admit, not many people here in Germany is looking forward to this day. It is a Catholic holiday that always on 1 November will mark. And actually, behind a very sad occasion: One thinks of the dead.
I want you now, but tell me, how that looks in my family. Over 25 years ago my grandfather died. I was a little kid. It is by custom and tradition, my parents and I were on 1 November at the grave of my grandfather drove. And we do it every year since then.
The day begins with us so that we meet at the home of my mother. There comes together, the whole family, three generations, from all over Germany. We go to lunch together, and then we put on especially warm. We walk over to the old cemetery and visit other graves only once. The graves of relatives or friends. There are in each case their families, and we talk briefly with each other. Then it turns you on their own family grave. Catholic churches in Bavaria, like the one in which I'm still stands, almost every one grave. Then begins a worship service. A pastor speaks and prays, a brass band playing sad songs. Then the graves will be blessed with holy water the priest goes through the cemetery.
After an hour it is frozen solid. You go home and we sit together until late in the evening. We drink coffee, eat cake and eat later in the evening. For me it's a beautiful day, because on the one hand, I think it's important to remember the dead, on the other hand, it is the only day of the year on which the whole family is together.
In Bavaria, one has to this day by the way free. You do not need. We have many religious holidays here.
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The first snow has fallen here in Munich last week already. Whenever it starts getting cold and the winter, I am happy. Because that means that before All Saints Day is ....