This time of year, I begin fielding questions about handling Halloween in the Catholic home. So, while I’m sure this post will step on peoples’ toes (some will find me too conservative, others too liberal), let’s dive in, shall we?
We refuse to glorify evil
The devil and evil are real. Period.
As Christians, we should never, never, NEVER glorify evil or darkness of any kind.
We completely avoid opening any sort of door to evil in our lives (Ouji boards, card reading, etc.). This is a very real way to open yourself to oppression (not the same as possession).
Ask me how I know!
This means our family avoids the evil elements of Halloween that have, most unfortunately, become a part of our culture.
This means…
No evil costumes
My children can choose to be whatever they want as long as
- It isn’t too complicated (hello! mama ain’t got time for that!)
- Isn’t scary, evil, or demonic
This means no blood, guts, demons, devils, etc. After all, there are lots of innocent costumes to choose from!
We’ve had cowboys, farmers, princesses, knights, Raggedy Ann, horses, cows, alligators, lynxes, dragons, and cats.
The most questionable costume we’ve had was a witch. Lilla really wanted to be a “cute, nice witch.” I relented, but I think now I would put my foot down on that one.
Trick or treating earlier
Halloween trick-or-treating hours are a lot like shopping at Walmart. The later you go, the weirder and scarier things become.
Earlier trick-or-treating means younger trick-or-treaters, and, as a result, the costumes and Halloween antics are more innocent in nature.
Avoiding certain homes
Unfortunately, we sometimes have to steer our kids away from particular homes. Either the home has scary decor or we know it’s one we don’t want our kids to visit. Living in a tiny town helps!
Focus on the good, clean fun
This means we carve pumpkins (one side for Halloween, one side for All Saints’), eat candy, make fun homemade costumes, and enjoy fall activities.
Discuss Good vs. Evil
Inevitably, the kids begin asking “why” when they see our family not participating in some aspects of Halloween. Instead of brushing it under the rug, we see this as an opportunity to discuss our faith, the presence of evil, and our response to evil.
Community is important
Whether you live in a tiny town like we do or a big city, neighbors are important! Unless we get out of our homes and make connections with those around us, we will never bring our culture to Christ.
We love to see all our neighbors and they are genuinely excited to see our kids.
Of course, we wouldn’t expose our children to evil to make connections. There is definitely a line that should not be crossed here.
Focus on the vigil
Halloween is really All Hallows’ Eve or the vigil of the holyday of All Saints’. It is a day when we remember our own mortality and prepare for the feast to come the next day.
In all honesty, I’m still learning the liturgical ropes. We haven’t observed Halloween as a vigil (fasting and preparation) yet. Maybe one way to do this is to win the mean mom of the year award and save the candy for the next day!
I’m not quite sure I’m ready for that challenge!
Focus on All Saints’
I think the one thing we do that makes the biggest difference is focusing more on celebrating the feast of All Saints’ than we do Halloween.
This means throwing an All Saints’ party, dressing as our favorite saints, decorating the feast table, making homemade donuts (something the kids look forward to and talk about all year long), praying for the faithful departed, asking the intercession of the saints, going to Mass, and so much more!
Read 16 ways to Celebrate All Saints
So those are my two cents worth. How do you do Halloween in your Catholic home?
