Readers Respond: How Do You Celebrate Halloween?

Responses: 5

Every year, a debate rages among Christians: Is Halloween a satanic holiday or merely a secular one? Should Christian children dress up like ghosts and goblins? Is it good for children to be scared? I've discussed the Christian origins of Halloween, and the anti-Catholic origins of the attack on the holiday, in Should Catholics Celebrate Halloween?

Do you and your family celebrate Halloween? Why, or why not? And if you do, how do you celebrate it? Share your stories below!

Interesting!

Really interesting reflection on the catholic origins of this. Certainly here in the UK , this day seems to be celebrated far more in the last 5 years.I suppose this is just a reflection of a widespread American influence on our society. Thank you for taking the time to write this informative piece on Halloween.

—Guest Chris Mannion.(York ,England)

I hate the puritan heresy

Once again the spirit of Hate - and what comes with hate Ignorance on the Move - comes to destroy all that is beautiful in our world. I now see how the fun and freedom of Holloween in my youth is a good to be passed on to the next generation. But I have to fight the "demonic" attack from the puritans

—Guest Armando

hallowe en

thankfully someone who understands the orgins of the "disguising" (to hide one's self from the evil spirits abroad on all hallows' eve) - that is why trick or treating is called "guising" in Scotland. the pennies and fine pieces scare away evil and bless the dressed up people.

—Guest mamabeak

But how to KEEP it Catholic?

Scott, I was vaguely aware of Halloween's roots before, but thanks for filling in the details. I and my wife and kids are all avid Halloween enthusiasts and will probably remain so for the foreseeable future. We love trick-or-treating and we dress the kids (they're still young enough that we have a lot of say in their costume choices) as saints. So I'm not sure I agree with your response to the All Saints Day approach, where you call it "at best" an attempt to Christianize something that's already Christian. You almost seem to be encouraging a NON-saints approach. And what I'm unclear about is how dressing up as Freddie Kruger is a celebration of heaven, hell, or purgatory, and how it can help us to be better Catholics. Thanks as always for a great post.

—Guest Jay

Remembering My Dad

This year will be my first year to celebrate the passing of my Dad by making a altar at a near-by function where lots of other people will make an altar. I have never done this, and we will eat native Mexican food and, instead of being SAD, it will be a celebration.

—Guest Elizabeth