Pumpkins on the doorstep, children in costumes, “trick or treat”: 31 October is Halloween. In many Christian families the question then arises whether it is all right to join in. In this article we look at where Halloween comes from, what the Catholic Church thinks about it, and how you can shape the evening so that it fits your faith.
Where does the name Halloween come from?
“Halloween” is a contraction of “All Hallows’ Eve”, that is, “the eve of All Saints’ Day”. The name reveals where the evening belongs: on 1 November the Church celebrates All Saints’ Day, and on 2 November All Souls’ Day.
According to a widespread account, Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel in Rome to all the saints in the 8th century and set their feast on 1 November. Pope Gregory IV extended the feast to the whole Western Church in 835. How important older customs were in this, such as the Celtic festival of Samhain at the end of summer, is disputed among scholars. What is certain is that today’s Halloween custom of pumpkin lanterns and dressing up came mainly via Ireland to the USA and from there to Europe in the late 20th century.
How does the Catholic Church see Halloween?
There is no Church ban on celebrating Halloween. The attitude is rather one of weighing things up. Many pastoral workers see nothing wrong in dressing up and having fun together, just as at carnival. Some voices in the Church are critical that the evening is heavily shaped by consumerism and that death and fear are partly trivialised or glorified. This article on katholisch.de gives an overview of critical voices.
The more important thought is a different one: Halloween does not stand on its own. It is the eve of two quiet feasts that many people today know less well than the pumpkin.
All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day: the real point that follows
On All Saints’ Day the Church remembers all the saints, including the many whom nobody knows. On All Souls’ Day it prays for all the departed. Families visit graves, and many parishes bless the graves on the afternoon of All Saints’ Day. What lies behind these two days and which customs belong to them, we explain in detail in All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day: meaning and customs.
May I celebrate Halloween as a Christian?
Each family decides that for itself. A few thoughts can help:
- Fun yes, fear no: dressing up and collecting sweets are harmless. It becomes difficult when children are genuinely frightened or when violence and death are made a joke.
- Explain the connection: tell your children that “Halloween” is the evening before All Saints’ Day. That gives the pumpkin a story.
- Think of the next day too: if you carve pumpkins on 31 October, you can visit your grandparents’ graves together on 1 November.
Ideas for a Christian Halloween evening
Some parishes invite people on 31 October to a “Night of Lights” or to children’s activities in which the children dress up as saints. In France the name “Holywins” has become well known for this. You can also try a few things at home:
- Each child chooses a saint, tells their story and dresses up accordingly. You will find inspiration in the Saints’ Lexicon, for example with St Martin, whose feast comes soon afterwards.
- A small cross is scratched into the carved pumpkin light. It recalls that the light is stronger than the darkness.
- Before bedtime you say a short prayer for the departed of the family.
Signs of faith in autumn
If you would like a sign of faith in the house at this time, you will find plain companions with us: for example an olive wood holding cross, which rests in the hand when you think of someone, or a guardian angel picture with lantern for the nursery. For prayer in October, the month of the Rosary, a rosary from our rosaries collection is fitting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Halloween a Christian feast?
The name comes from Christian tradition: “All Hallows’ Eve” is the eve of All Saints’ Day. The customs of today with pumpkins and costumes, however, are above all folk custom and commerce, not a Church feast.
Does the Catholic Church forbid Halloween?
No. There is no ban. Some voices in the Church criticise the consumerism and the trivialisation of death and fear, but many take a relaxed view of dressing up.
What is the difference between Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day?
Halloween is the evening of 31 October. All Saints’ Day on 1 November is the feast of all the saints, and All Souls’ Day on 2 November is the day of remembrance for all the departed.
How can I celebrate Halloween in a Christian way with children?
For example with saint costumes, a light for the departed and a visit to the cemetery the next day. That turns the evening into the prelude to All Saints’ Day.
Written by Denis & Belinda. We run LUNEXUS and are happy to answer your questions personally on +49 30 2178 2502 (German and English) or at hallo@lunexus.world.
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