The sharing of soul cakes was a tradition among Catholics at Allhallowtide .
a popular English souling rhymeAt least as far back as the 15th century , among Catholics , there had been a custom of sharing soul cakes at Allhallowtide ( October 31 through November 2 ) .Hutton , pp.374–375 People would visit houses and take soul cakes , either as representatives of the dead , or in return for praying for their souls .