If you’ve been following us for a while, you know where we stand. But it wasn’t always this way. In the past, we allowed our eldest child to dress up in cute, secular costumes and collect treats from friends and family for the first few years of her life. However, as we grew in the Faith, our priorities began to shift. We Enthroned our home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and felt called to live more radically for Christ.
A turning point came when we were invited to an All Saints’ Party at a traditional Latin Mass parish, nearly 20 years ago. That experience opened our eyes and helped us respond to God’s promptings, leading us to set aside secular Halloween celebrations.
Below are a few resources I’ve previously shared on Instagram, now gathered here to make them easier to find. Every year, I get questions about this topic, and I hope these tools will inspire others to embrace the richness of Catholic traditions.
Let’s Restore Catholic Customs
May we work together to reinstitute the beautiful customs & traditions of thr Church and joyfully celebrate holy feasts of All Saints and All Souls.
When it comes to Halloween, you’ll find traditional Catholics on both sides of the debate. Since there’s no definitive Church teaching on the matter, families are free to discern what’s best for them.
For our family, we’ve come to see that modern Halloween celebrations are far removed from anything of the Faith. They don’t help us grow closer to God, and the holiday itself is now steeped in occult practices. For us, the decision was simple: Does this celebration aid our journey toward Christ? The answer was no.
We’ve asked, how does this serve us in growing closer to Christ?
Our goal is to raise children who are both holy and happy, but not in the way the world defines happiness. Instead of participating in Halloween, we focus on preparing for the great feasts of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. On All Hallows’ Eve, we gather with like-minded families to celebrate with faith-centered festivities. We also observe the traditional fast and partial abstinence on the Vigil of All Saints, as the Church prescribed.
Above all, we honor the holy days by attending Mass on All Saints’ Day, as required by the Church. This approach helps keep our hearts and minds focused on what matters most: growing in holiness and seeking the will of God.
Just to clarify my recent stories/posts: the Church does not have an official teaching regarding the celebration of Halloween. For the past 25 years or so, my family has chosen not to participate in Halloween. As my husband and I deepened our understanding of the Faith, we felt called to change certain practices and align our lives more closely with our beliefs. While I don’t pass judgment on the decisions other families make, I share what has guided and challenged us on our journey to grow in holiness and glorify God.
Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s The Church’s Year Instruction On The Feast Of All Saints [November 1]
Why has the Church instituted this festival?
To give praise to God in His saints, (Ps. cl.) and to pay to the saints themselves the honor which they merit for having made it the work of their earthly life to promote the honor of God. 2. To impress vividly upon our minds that we are members of that holy Catholic Church which believes in the communion of saints, that is, in the communion of all true Christians, who belong to the Church triumphant in heaven, to the Church suffering in purgatory, or to the Church militant upon earth; but, more particularly, to cause us earnestly to consider the communion of the saints in heaven with us, who are yet battling on earth.
3. To exhort us to raise our eyes and hearts, especially on this day, to heaven, where before the throne of God is gathered the innumerable multitude of saints of all countries, times, nationalities and ranks of life, who have faithfully followed Christ and left us glorious examples of virtues, which we ought to imitate. This we can do, for the saints, too, were weak men, who fought and conquered only by the grace of God, which will not be denied to us.
4. To honor those saints, for whom during the year there is no special festival appointed by the Church. Finally, that in consideration of so many intercessors God may grant us perfect reconciliation, may permit us to share in their merits, and may grant us the grace to enjoy with them, one day, the bliss of heaven.
Who first instituted this festival?
Pope Boniface IV. first suggested the celebration of this festival, when in 610 he ordered that the Pantheon, a pagan temple at Rome, dedicated to all the gods, should be converted into a Christian church, and the relics of the saints, dispersed through the different Roman cemeteries, taken up and placed therein. He then dedicated the Church to the honor of the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs, and thus for the first time celebrated the Festival of All Saints, directing that it should be observed in Rome every year. Pope Gregory IV. extended this feast to the whole Catholic Church, and appointed the 1st of November as the day of its celebration.
At the Introit the Church sings: Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival day in honor of all the saints; at whose solemnity the angels rejoice, and give praise to the Son of God. Rejoice in the Lord, ye just: praise becometh the upright. Glory &c.
COLLECTAlmighty everlasting God, who givest us to venerate in one solemnity the merits of all Thy saints: we beseech Thee to bestow upon us, through our multiplied intercessors, the fulness of Thy propitiation. Thro’. &c.
LESSON(Apoc. vii. 2-12.) IN THOSE DAYS, behold, I, John, saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying: Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were signed, an hundred and forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Ruben twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Aser twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Nephtali twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Manasses twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe1 of Issachar twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Zabulon twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand signed. After this I saw a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands: and they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures; and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying: Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, and power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.
EXPLANATION The words of this lesson relate immediately to the divine punishment on Jerusalem and the Jewish people, as they were revealed in spirit to John; in a higher and particular sense they refer to the general judgment. At this judgment there will be chosen ones, from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. But that it might not be thought that the elect are principally Christian converts from Judaism, St. John was shown a countless multitude of Christians from heathen lands, by which it is seen, that it is the pagans who will principally fill the Church of Christ and heaven. This multitude clothed in white and carrying palms in their hands, stand before the throne of God and before the Lamb, that is, Christ. The white robes are tokens of their innocence; the palm is the emblem of their glory and of their victory over the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. They shall adore God, and forever sing to Him, in communion with all the heavenly spirits, a canticle of praise for the power and glory which He has bestowed upon them.
Let us strive so to live, that we may one day be among these chosen ones.
GOSPEL (Matt. v. 1 -12.) AT THAT TIME, Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain. And when he was sat down, his disciples came unto him. And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you untruly, for my sake: be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven.
Why is the Gospel of the Eight Beatitudes read on this day?
Because they form, so to speak, the steps on which the saints courageously ascended to heaven.
If you desire to be with the saints in heaven, you must also mount patiently and perseveringly these steps, then God’s hand will assuredly aid you.
EXPLANATION OF THE EIGHT BEATITUDES.
I. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
THEY are poor in spirit who, like the apostles, leave all temporal things for Christ’s sake and become poor; they who have lost their property by misfortune or injustice, and bear this loss with patience and resignation to the will of God; they who are contented with their poor and lowly station in life, do not strive for greater fortune or a higher position, and would rather suffer want than make themselves rich by unlawful means; they who though rich do not love wealth, nor set their hearts upon it, but use their riches to aid the poor; and especially they who are humble, that is, who have no exalted opinion of themselves, but are convinced of their weakness and inward poverty, have a low estimate of themselves, therefore, feel always their need, and like poor mendicants, continually implore God’s grace and assistance.
II. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.
He is meek who represses every rising impulse of anger, impatience and desire of revenge, and willingly puts up with every thing that God, to prove him, decrees or permits to happen to him, or men inflict upon him. He who thus controls himself, is like a calm and tranquil sea, in which the image of the divine Sun is ever reflected, clear and unruffled. He who thus conquers himself is mightier than if he besieged and conquered strongly fortified cities, (Prov. xvi. 32.) and will without doubt receive this earth, as well as heaven, as an inheritance, enjoying eternally there the peace (Ps. xxxvi. n.) which is already his on earth.
III. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
The mourners here mentioned are not those who weep and lament over the death of relatives and friends, or over misfortune or loss of temporal riches, but those who mourn that God is so often offended, so little loved and honored by men, that so many souls, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, are lost. Among these mourners are also those who lead a strict and penitential life, and patiently endure distress; for sin is the only evil, the only thing to be lamented, and those tears only, which are shed on account of sin, are useful tears, and are recompensed by everlasting joy and eternal consolation.
IV. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.
Hunger and thirst denote the ardent longing for those virtues which constitute Christian perfection. He who seeks such perfection with ardent desire and earnest striving, will be filled, that is, will be adorned by God with the most beautiful virtues, and will be abundantly rewarded in heaven.
V. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
They are merciful who assist the poor according to their means, who practice every possible spiritual and corporal work of mercy, who as far as they can, patiently endure the faults of others, strive always to excuse them, and willingly forgive the injuries they have received. They especially are truly merciful, who are merciful to their enemies, and do good to them, as written: Love your enemies, and do good to them that hate you. (Matt. v. 44.) Well is it for him who is merciful, the greatest rewards are promised him, but a judgment without mercy shall be passed on the unmerciful.
VI. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.
They are clean of heart, who carefully preserve the innocence which they received in baptism, and keep their heart and conscience free not only from all sinful words and deeds, but from all sinful thoughts and desires, and in all their omissions and commissions think and desire only good. These while yet on earth see God in all His works and creatures, because their thoughts are directed always to the Highest Good, and in the other world they will see Him face to face, enjoying in this contemplation a peculiar pleasure which is reserved for pure souls only; for as the eye that would see well, must be clear, so must those souls be immaculate who are to see God.
VII. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Those are peace-makers who guard their improper desires, who are careful to have peace in their conscience and regulated tranquility in all their actions, who do not quarrel with their neighbors, and are submissive to the will of God. These are called children of God, because they follow God who is a God of peace, (Rom. xv. 33.) and who even gave His only Son to reconcile the world, and bring upon earth that peace which the world does not know and cannot give. (Luke ii. 14.; John xiv. 27.)
VIII. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Those suffer persecution for justice’ sake who by their words, writings, or by their life defend the truth, the faith and Christian virtues; who cling firmly to God, and permit nothing to turn them from the duties of the Christian profession, from the practice of their holy religion, but on its account suffer hatred, contempt, disgrace, injury and injustice from the world. If they endure all this with patience and perseverance, even, like the saints, with joy, then they will become like the saints and like them receive the heavenly crown. If we wish to be crowned with them, we must suffer with them: And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution, (ii. Tim. iii. 12.)
SUPPLICATION. How lovely, O Lord, are Thy tabernacles! My soul longeth for Thy courts. My body and soul rejoice in Thee, most loving God, Thou crown and reward of all the saints, whose temporal pains and sufferings Thou dost reward with eternal joy, filling them with good! How blessed are they who have faithfully served Thee, for they carry Thy name on their forehead, and reign with Thee for all eternity. Grant us, we beseech Thee, O God, by their intercession, Thy grace that we, after their example, may serve Thee in sanctity and justice, in poverty and humility, in meekness and repentance, in the ardent desire for all virtues, by mercy, perfect purity of heart, in peacefulness and patience, following them, and taking part, one day, with them in heavenly joy and happiness. Amen.
Let us prepare our souls for the graces heaven is about to shower upon the earth in return for its homage.
Tomorrow the Church will be so overflowing with joy, that she will seem to be already in possession of eternal happiness; but today she appears in the garb of penance, confessing that she is still an exile.
Let us fast and pray with her; for are not we too pilgrims and strangers in this world, where all things are fleeting and hurry on to death?
Year by year, as the great solemnity comes round, it has gathered from among our former companions new saints, who bless our tears and smile upon our songs of hope.
Year by year the appointed time draws nearer, when we ourselves, seated at the heavenly banquet, shall receive the homage of those who succeed us, and hold out a helping hand to draw them after us to the home of everlasting happiness.
Let us learn, from this very hour, to emancipate our souls; let us keep our hearts free, in the midst of the vain solicitudes and false pleasures of a strange land: the exile has no care but his banishment, no joy but that which gives him a foretaste of his fatherland.
With these thoughts in mind, let us say with the Church the Collect of the vigil.
➕
Domine Deus noster, multiplica super nos gratiam tuam: et, quorum prævenimus gloriosa solemnia, tribue subsequi in sancta professione lætitiam. Per Dominum.
O Lord our God, multiply thy grace upon us; and grant us in our holy profession to follow the joy of those, whose glorious solemnity we anticipate. Through our Lord.
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival day in honor of all the saints; at whose solemnity the angels rejoice, and give praise to the Son of God. Rejoice in the Lord, ye just: praise becometh the upright. ~Introit from
I’m thankful that I can share with so many via Instagram in a way that is most conducive to my season in life but there are certain things I’d prefer them to have a permanent home here. Please excuse me while I share a few blasts from the past.
Why has the Church instiuted this festival?
To give praise to God in Hus saints, (Ps. cl) and to pray to the saints themselves the honor which they merit for having made it the work of their earthly life to promote the honor of God.
To impress vividly upon our minds that we are members of that holy Catholic Church which believes in the communion of saints, that is, in the communion of all true Christians, who belong to the Church triumphant in heaven, to the Church suffering in purgatory, or to the Church militant upon earth; but, more particularly, to cause us earnestly to consider the communion of the saints in heaven with us, who are yet battling on earth.
To exhort us to raise our eyes and hearts, especially on this day, to heaven, where before the throne of God is gathered the innumerable multitude of saints of all countries, times, nationalities and ranks of life, who have faithfully followed Christ and left us glorious examples of virtues, which we ought to imitate. This we can do, for the saints, too, were weak men, who fought and conquered only by the grace of God, which will not be denied to us.
To honor those saints, for whom during the year there is no special festival appointed by the Church. Finally, that in consideration of so many intercessors God may grant us perfect reconciliation, may permit us to share in their merits, and may grant us the grace to enjoy with them, one day, the bliss of heaven.
We are all looking for ways to grow closer to the Saints. Celebrating All Hallows Eve with an All Saints’ Day party is a wonderful opportunity for us to keep our eyes on Heaven, living out the Liturgical Year.
I can’t say them I’m a pro or there’s not a part of me that dreads having to make my children’s saintly dreams come to reality (make the costumes) but it’s all worth it!
Generally, we try to use what we have around the house. This year we upcycled several
Paint stir sticks that were left over from a painting project.
Inexpensive brown fabric from Wal-Mart with pumpkins as fabric weights.
Felt left-over from Jesse Tree ornaments, stick from the front yard, and Dollar Tree floral tape.
Our Parish holds festivities that the parishioners coordinate so we do not have to partake in the secular “celebrations.” The evening starts in Church with the Litany of Saints and procession if the weather permits.
Dragonfly’s costume of St. Martin de Porres was made from inexpensive black material for his cassock which was held together with fusing tape. The white piece was simply a piece of cut fabric. His friendly mouse/rat was a stuffed pet from IKEA. The broom belonged to Rose, a souvenir from a field trip at a local broom factory (before they moved their manufacturing out of the country). St. Martin de Porres is sometimes referred to as the Saint of the Broom for his devotion to his work, no matter how menial.
Martin is probably best remembered for the Legend of the Rats. It is told that the prior, who objected to rats, ordered Martin to set out poison for them. Martin did as he was told, but he was very sorry for the rats. He went out into the garden and called softly and out came the rats. He reprimanded them for their bad habits, telling them about the poison. He further assured them that he would feed them every day in the garden, if they would refrain from annoying the prior. This agreed upon, he dismissed the rats and forever after, so the stories go, there was no more trouble with rats at Holy Rosary Convent.
Papi desired to go as Bl. Junipero Serra (who has since gone on to be a saint) as his devotion has grown to him over the years through our pilgrimages which culminate with Mass offered over his tombstone. His cross was made from the painted paint sticks tied to braided scraps of brown fabric. His simple brown robe was made with this technique using inexpensive brown fabric and fusing tape. Papi is wearing a Han Solo robe that Nana purchased for $2 after last year’s Halloween. (She stocks up on Christmas gifts, dress-up clothes, after seasons.) His walking stick was something found at Papa’s house. I had great plans to give him a faux tonsure using nylons but he backed out at the last-minute.
Lil’ Man is also Junipero Serra since he loves to follow his big brother. They’re both wearing twine rope from the Dollar Store and plastic rosaries.
Sparkles chose St. Zita, an easy one for us to put together. She wore her own clothes and we made this apron out of a thrift-store sheet.
Born to a very poor but pious family. At age twelve she became a domestic servant for the wealthy Fainelli family in Lucca, Italy, a position she kept all her life; she looked at it as a way to serve God. She often gave her own food, and sometimes that of her master, to those poorer than herself, which caused her to get in frequent trouble with her employers and the other servants in the house who resented her. However, she did such a fine job she was eventually placed in charge of the house, and entrusted with its keys. Attended daily Mass before beginning her duties, and would go to a nearby monastery to pray in private.
Sparkles chose a saint that shes has admired, St. Maria Gorretti. She wore her own clothes with a scarf from the thrift-store. The lily was homemade with the pictured (above) stick, white and yellow felt, and green floral tape. She borrowed a “knife” from her brother’s collection.
Beautiful, pious farm girl, one of six children of Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. In 1896 the family moved to Ferriere di Conca. Soon after, Maria’s father died of malaria, and the family was forced to move onto the Serenelli farm to survive.
In 1902 at age twelve, Maria was attacked by 19-year-old farm-hand Alessandro Serenelli. He tried to attack the girl who fought, yelled that it was a sin, and that he would go to hell. He tried to choke her into submission, then stabbed her fourteen times. She survived in hospital for two days, forgave her attacker, asked God‘s forgiveness of him, and died holding a crucifix and medal of Our Lady. Counted as a martyr.
While in prison for his crime, Allessandro had a vision of Maria. He saw a garden where a young girl, dressed in white, gathered lilies. She smiled, came near him, and encouraged him to accept an armful of the lilies. As he took them, each lily transformed into a still white flame. Maria then disappeared. This vision of Maria led to Alessandro’s conversion, and he later testified at her cause for beatification.
The children are invited to go on the stage to share something about their saint.
The children enjoy parading around and sharing with all.
This was a favorite saint costume of mine from the evening.
I love the creativity in games offered for the children.
Let us strive so to live, that we may one day be among these chosen ones!
This is the great family feast of the Mystical Body in its final triumph. The unnumbered and nameless multitude of saints, “out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues,” are our brothers and sisters in Christ at home with our Redeemer-Brother. Their sainthood is the fulfillment of living the eight Beatitudes. They are the great Christian heroes. “Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love Him” (I Cor. 2:9).
~~~
We are preparing for the glorious feast of All Saints. We start to celebrate with festivities on All Hallows’ Eve so we’re usually not home. It has become a custom of ours to post a sign on our door that briefly explains why we’re not partaking in Halloween. Our door sign and resources are shared below. You’re invited to print/share our printables. May you have a blessed and holy feast day!
This is a Holy Day of Obligation on which we celebrate the Church Triumphant — all the Saints in Heaven, canonized or unknown.
We were blessed to attend our parish festivities for All Hallow’s Eve, in preparation for All Saints’ Day.
St. Joseph the Carpenter led the way. Papi came up with his own saint and costume. It worked out nicely since his Nina gave him a wooden tool box to construct. He used Sweetie’s robe from her Martha costume.
Lil’ man celebrated his first All Saint’s’ Day.
Mass was followed by a Procession and Litany of Saints.
Everyone gathered under the tent for the Parade of Saints and Guess My Saint Contest.
There were plenty of activities and treats for the lil’ saints.
The Catacombs was one of our favorite activities. A family who moved from out of state created this great activity. They used their moving boxes to make up the Catacombs, box maze. Each pilgrim was sent through the Catacombs with a glow stick.
Sweetie and her friend were unplanned twinsies, St. Therese.
SparklesSt. Bernadette was in good company with St. Therese and St. Zeta.
The evening ended with Fr. M’s Campfire Story.
ORATE PRO NOBIS
~~~
Thanks to all the families who offered their time, talent, and resources for this blessed event that helps our children keep their eyes on our goal –- HEAVEN.
on
