To most everyone, Halloween has become synonymous with harmless fun-making and masquerading; sadly many Catholics (even some who profess to observe the traditions of our Faith) regularly participate in (and even host) annual pagan-like celebrations with witches, etc. which nowadays have become associated with Halloween. It is then, necessary to clarify the true meaning of Halloween.
The origin of the word HALLOWEEN
indicates to us clearly its true meaning. It comes to us from medieval English:
'HALOWEN' or 'HALWEN' which means literally: saint or to make holy, to
sanctify; and as well: to reverence, to honor as sacred, to venerate. The very
root of the word reminds us that Halloween is the 'holy-evening'; it is the eve
(the vigil) of the feast of All Saints - 'All-Hallows' (celebrated November
1st). Thus, it is a day of preparation for the glorious feast on which we honor
and venerate the men, women and children who through the merits of Our Lord's
cross have attained to the eternal bliss of paradise.
Catholics and all Christians alike
should not imitate the pagan customs of the Celtics and druids that eventually
got mixed into the Feast. Instead they should teach their children the
afterlife in heaven and the lives of the saints and encourage them to imitate
the saints not only in costume but most especially in the practice of the
virtues.
Christians should sponsor parties that
infuse and underscore the holy meaning of Halloween. But please do not throw the baby out with the
bath water. Halloween is a Christian
celebration, keep it and celebrate it properly!
Conversely, Christians and Catholics
should refuse to attend any parties that treat Halloween as a pagan celebration
of witches and darkness. On the
contrary, they should band together like the Servants of the Father of Mercy’s
“Youth & Family Night” October 24th 6pm Halloween celebration with Western
Barbecue dinner and sharing stories of the afterlife and the saints. This then
is the true meaning of Halloween. Feel
free to come dressed in Western attire, saints and angels.
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