Yeah, I know: Festivus is a fake holiday created by Seinfeld in 1997, when Mr. Costanza told Kramer about the family holiday he created: Festivus.
It was, Mr. Costanza explained, a “festivus for the rest of us.”
It has since become a real “thing,” with its official celebration date on December 23rd. It's a denunciation of the pressures and commercialization of Christmas.
You can even buy a (tacky as hell) Festivus celebration kit at Amazon.
But I'd like to propose that the Catholics take it back. I mean, heck, we've taken so many other things from the Jews, we might as well take Festivus.
We'd apply it to today: All Soul's Day.
The canonized saints have their own feast days. The uncanonized saints were recognized yesterday.
Today, the Church recognizes the rest of us.
I believe it's the only commemoration in the liturgical year for non-saints. Check me if I'm wrong, but I believe every other day involves a saint or an event (or a building . . . the Dedication of St. John Lateran).
Today is our day.
Well, not yet, I guess. If you're reading this, you're still alive, but if you're like the rest of us on this Festivus, it will be your day shortly.
Burn the candle, say the prayers, spin the beads for their souls.
Heck, even put up the aluminum pole, if it'll help you to remember to do your earthly spiritual duty today.
