The Pumpkin Prayer

Halloween is around the corner and people are excited about making jack-o-lanterns with pumpkins. It is believed that the custom of making jack-o-lanterns first started in Ireland. But they had used huge turnips and when this custom travelled overseas to the United States, pumpkins replaced turnips. May be because of the size! We don't see huge turnips in the US.

Mornings are cold and days are getting shorter, and soon there will be frost. Pumpkins have to be harvested before that. So harvest of pumpkins happens right in time for Halloween. Pumpkin patches, photobooths, pumpkin carving, pumpkin cider, pumpkin pie, pumpkin this and pumpkin that - pumpkins are everywhere. The orange pumpkins along with the red and yellow leaves do brighten up the gloomy fall season.






Well, what is Halloween? Halloween is All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Hallows Day or All Saints Day, on which the saints are remembered in a special way in the church. All Saints Day is on Novemeber 1st and that's an obligatory day in the catholic church. That means all catholics are obligated to attend mass that day.

Having given a little info on Halloween and pumpkin carving let me share the pumpkin prayer. How much fun the kids had in carving the pumpkins! They were small groups of seven and each one did an admirable job in sharing the job and making sure each gets his/her turn. Make sure to cover the workarea and also have trashcans near each table.

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THE PUMPKIN PRAYER

Dear God,

As I carve my pumpkin help
me say this prayer:

Open my mind so I can
learn about You;
(Cut the top of the pumpkin)

Take away all my sin and forgive
me for the wrong things I do.
(Clean out the inside)

Open my eyes so Your love I will see;
(Cut eyes shaped like hearts)

I’m sorry for turning up my
nose to all You’ve given me.
(Cut a nose in the shape of the cross)

Open my ears so Your word
I will hear;
(Cut ears shaped by the Bible)

Open my mouth so I can
Tell others You’re near
(Cut the mouth in the shape of a fish)

Let Your light shine in all
I say and do! Amen
(Place a candle inside and light it)
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