WHY DO CATHOLICS CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN?
by
Esther C. Garrotto
(Oct. 28, 2004)
As Catholic Christians, we not only celebrate Halloween on October 31st, we also celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1st and All Souls’ Day on November 2nd. I think of this 3-day celebration as a “holy sandwich”! Maybe you’ll see why as we go along.
Some Christians think of Halloween as a pagan holiday that has no place in church. It is true that it has its origins in an ancient Celtic festival celebrated in pre-Christian times. However, over the centuries, believing Christians have given the holiday a different meaning and significance.
The word “Halloween” is Old English for “holy eve” or “eve of the holy day.” Halloween pokes fun at the dark side and demons. The idea is that, through masks and costumes, we laugh at the Powers of Darkness.
At Christ the King parish Halloween is a big celebration. If you are here next Saturday or Sunday, you will see dozens of children (and some adults, too) dressed as ghosts, goblins, devils, princesses, Superman – even the Grim Reaper. And, not only that, they will parade through the church, right down the center aisle (usually to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In”), They will march over to the gym to participate in a special Halloween liturgy.
As Christians, we smile at all those dark figures that symbolize the evil that Christ has overcome. As we cast off our masks and costumes, we know we are called, like the saints to be new persons in Christ. We are also reminded that we are part of the “communion of saints.” And we continue this theme the next day.
On November 1st, we celebrate in a different way. This is All Saints’ Day – a day set aside by the Church to especially remember those who are generally thought to be in heaven.
On November 2nd, All Souls’ Day, the celebration continues. This is the day when Catholics especially remember their own deceased loved ones. In some Hispanic cultures this is also known as the “Day of the Dead.” This is a day when they poke fun at death and honor those who have died. At Christ the King we honor our deceased loved ones: By attending mass on that day, by writing names in our parish “Book of Our Beloved Dead,” and later in the month, attending a special bereavement mass for recently deceased loved ones.
So, you see, for us Halloween is not an isolated day. As Catholic Christians, during these three days:
We poke fun at the Powers of
Darkness;
We join with Christ who conquered evil and death;
We honor those who have gone before us in death.