Celebrating All Hallow's Eve - Holyween:

31 October

Today is All Hallow's Eve, the eve of All Saints Day or All Hallow's Day which will be celebrated by the Church tomorrow on November 1 and All Souls Day which is celebrated on November 2. These three days are collectively called Allhallowtide and are marked to commemorate the holy souls of the dead who have passed on to eternal life. Sadly, today in most cultures around the world this day is celebrated as ‘Halloween’ with popular customs and practices that depict horror and evil. This is contrary to our faith of eternal life.

Eternal life is the beatific vision of God and lives of holy souls in Heaven are filled with joy and peace in God. Saint Faustina had a vision of Heaven which she writes as "Today I was in heaven, in spirit, and I saw its inconceivable beauties and the happiness that awaits us after death. I saw how all creatures give ceaseless praise and glory to God. I saw how great is happiness in God which spreads to all creatures, making them happy;" Para 777 (Diary of St. Faustina)

So, today, let us celebrate holiness and do away with evil depictions of the dead by remembering our holy saints and offering our prayers to them, reading about their holy lives on earth and inspiring and encouraging one another to strive for holiness. As Saint Padre Pio said “Let us become saints so that after having been together on earth, we may be together in Heaven.”

History:

In the early church, for all major feasts of the Church it was a practice to hold vigils on the night before. Accordingly night vigil for the feasts that commemorate the Holy Saints on November 1 and the All Souls on November 2 were together held on October 31. These three days are collectively called Allhallowtide. The origin of the feast of All Hallows can be traced back to Pope Gregory III (731-741) founding an oratory in St. Peters for the relics of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors. In the year 835, Pope Gregory IV officially declared November 1 as All Hallows Day marking its eve as the Hallow’s eve on October 31. By the end of the 12th century these days became holy days of obligation and involved traditions of ringing church bells for the souls of the departed faithful. There were several customs followed in various parts of the world. In some places it was customary to dress in black and parade the streets ringing bells to remind people to remember their dead and pray for their souls. In some cultures people went door-to-door and families prepared soul cakes and offered it to them when they came visiting. These practices have now been replaced by the ‘trick or treat’ tradition of Halloween and wearing of costumes that sadly depict evil witches and horror.

The three days beginning today are observed by the Church to honor the holy souls of the saints and all the dead who may be in Heaven or in Purgatory. Let us follow our traditional practices of visiting their graves, lighting candles and offering prayers, Holy Masses for their souls. Have a happy Holyween. Lets celebrate holiness.