Hey there,
I’m looking forward to Halloween tomorrow night.
The individually wrapped candies.
The kids in creative and colorful costumes.
The chocolate. (Yes, I did mention candy twice.)
My neighborhood is pretty busy on Halloween, so I’ll be sitting on my front porch with a large cauldron filled to the brim with candy, handing out treats.
And enjoying candy … more than I should.
I always thought Halloween was purely a secular celebration. What I didn’t realize is that Halloween began in the Catholic Church.
Up until 1955, Halloween was an important part of our All Saints and All Souls celebration called Allhallowtide.
I found the history and evolution of Halloween intriguing … and a great way to refocus my celebration.
Though there will still be candy involved.
This week’s issue of Genuflect looks at the origins of All Hallows Eve, the triduum of death we used to celebrate, why it’s okay for Catholics to celebrate Halloween, how it’s celebrated around the world, and the plenary indulgences available in November.
And just a reminder … Friday is All Saints Day. And it’s a Holy Day of Obligation. So, enjoy Thursday night celebrating our victory over death and demons. Then Friday celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints with Mass.
And I highly recommend candy.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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The First Halloween
The very first Halloween occurred on May 13, 610, when Pope Boniface IV consecrated a Roman pagan temple. He performed an exorcism to cast out all the demons before holding Christian worship. There’s more to the story, including how the date was moved to October 31st.
The First Halloween Began With an Exorcism | Aleteia
All Hallows Eve Became Halloween
What we now call Halloween was originally the vigil of All Hallows Day … or All Hallows Eve. Though it’s now considered more of a secular celebration, here are its Christian roots, and some of the early feast day customs.
Liturgical Year : October : History of All Hallows’ Eve | Catholic Culture
The Triduum of Death
Not only does Halloween have Catholic origins, but at one time, it was part of a short liturgical season focused on death known as Allhallowtide. Here’s what it is, how it became an octave, and why we don’t recognize the Triduum of Death today.
The Triduum of Death: The Forgotten Season of Allhallowtide | ChurchPOP
Should Catholics Celebrate Halloween?
I’ve known some parents who did not allow their children to participate in Halloween for religious reasons. But Michael Heinlein explains the Catholic aspect of this vigil celebration and how to avoid falling into the pagan aspect of it.
Should Catholics Celebrate Halloween? | Simply Catholic
Celebrate a Catholic Halloween
Now that we’ve established that Catholics can celebrate Halloween, let’s look at how we can interject a little religious significance into the day. Lisa Frecker has 5 ways.
5 Amazing Ways to Celebrate Halloween as a Catholic Holiday | ChurchPOP
5 Spooky Saints
Here are 5 Saints whose biographies read like a Halloween movie script.
5 Spooky Saints to Help You Celebrate Halloween | Busted Halo
May Catholics Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos?
You may have heard of Dia de Los Muertos, aka Day of the Dead, and wondered if it’s acceptable for Catholics to participate. Father Charles Grondin looks at this multi-day Latin American celebration.
May Catholics Celebrate ‘Dia de Los Muertos?’ | Catholic.com
Halloween Celebrations Around The World
The US is not the only country who celebrates Halloween, or similar festivities. Here are 20 different ones from around the world, ranging from ones you may have heard of before in Mexico and Ireland to several you’ve likely never heard of like Japan, Cambodia, and India.
20 Halloween-Like Traditions From Around The World | Mental Floss
Make All Saints Day Happier Than Halloween
Halloween is fun to celebrate, as long as we remember the reason for the occasion and keep it Catholic. But it’s a precursor to All Saints Day, a Holy Day of Obligation. Here are 7 ways to make sure that your All Saints Day celebration is even better than the night before.
7 Ways to Make Your All Saints Day Happier Than Your Halloween | Epic Pew
Gain Plenary Indulgences in November
Between November 1-8 we have an opportunity to gain a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory. And on November 2, All Soul’s Day, we can gain a plenary indulgence for ourselves. Here’s what you need to do.
Gain Plenary Indulgences For The Souls in Purgatory This Week! | One Peter Five
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