This holiday has Catholic roots, but not all Catholics are comfortable with its modern form. Here's our take.
Years ago, my daughter came home from her Christian homeschool co-op very upset.
"Matilda said that Halloween is the Devil's Christmas! She said we shouldn't celebrate it," my daughter cried. "But I love Halloween!"
I gave her a hug and explained that her friend was mistaken.
"That might be what her family believes, but it's not what we believe," I said. "We're Catholic, and Halloween is actually a Catholic holiday!"
A Catholic holiday
Halloween is the first of a triduum of holy days. Called “All-hallow's-eve,” that is, the evening before “All Hallows” or “All Saints,” it started off three days of remembering and honoring the dead. This tradition goes back centuries and is still true today, as Catholics celebrate the Feast of All Saints on November 1 and then the Feast of All Souls on November 2.
Even though the religious meaning of Halloween is no longer the main focus, the modern celebration of this day is still great fun. It is true that some of the decorations and "celebrations" can be very ugly, and this focus on darkness and horror is a mistake. Still, we can't ignore the profoundly Catholic roots of Halloween.
If you'd like to explain the deeper spiritual meaning of Halloween to your kids, check out a new book, All Hallows’ Eve by Anthony DeStefano. This book helps kids understand what the All Hallows Triduum is really about, and why we need to pray for the souls in Purgatory.
A celebration to enjoy
My family loves celebrating Halloween every year, keeping our focus on the fun—dress-up costumes, yummy treats—and not on anything spooky. As a history lover, I find it delightful to participate in a custom that goes all the way back to the Middle Ages.
I also love how Halloween builds up the local community. In many neighborhoods, this may be the one day that you actually meet your neighbors, as everyone comes together for some good old-fashioned fun.
And I see Halloween as a day to remember Christ's triumph over the devil. We don't need to fear anything on this earth, no matter how spooky, because Our Lord defeated evil, once and for all. Catholic Answers puts it this way:
Ultimately, Halloween is a feast that celebrates Christ’s triumph over sin, Satan, and death, testifying to the beatific vision that awaits the faithful departed in heaven.
But if the roots of the day aren't enough for you, and the gory and creepy elements turn you off to celebrating this day, I get it. No worries—go with the alternative option for Catholics. Reclaim the observance of All Saints Day, and have children dress up as their favorite saints.
By joyfully celebrating the saints in Heaven, children learn to see the saints as their role models and friends. They can learn to stick closely to Jesus as the saints did, knowing that death no longer has victory over us, thanks to Christ and his sacrifice.
Happy All Hallows Eve!
