All Hallows Eve

"Halloween" is a contraction of "All Hallows Eve," and it designates the vigil (the night before) of All Hallows Day, more commonly known today as All Saints Day. ("Hallow," as a noun, is an old English word for saint.) All Saints Day, November 1, is a Holy Day of Obligation, and both the feast and the vigil have been celebrated since the early eighth century, when they were instituted by Pope Gregory III in Rome. Some of the traditions pre-date Christianity by many centuries. Celtic (Irish) practices included lighting bonfires, carving turnips (and, in America, pumpkins), and going from house to house, collecting treats, as carolers do at Christmas. But the "occult" aspects of Halloween—ghosts and demons—also actually have their roots in Catholic belief. Catholic Christians believed that, at certain times of the year (Christmas is another), the veil separating earth from Purgatory, Heaven, and even Hell becomes more thin, and the souls in Purgatory (ghosts) and demons can be more readily seen. Thus the tradition of Halloween costumes owes as much, if not more, to Christian belief as to Celtic tradition. As parents, if we are concerned about frightening our children, we can play dress-up as saints (or other crazy characters) and celebrate the Fall harvest time as well – with hot apple cider and pumpkin pie! Theologically, we do celebrate the thin veil that separates the dead from the living – all are part of the Communion of Saints. This is nothing to be afraid of, because between us “there is an abundant exchange of all good things” (CCC 1475). - - - Fr. Jim