Catholics who live in the UK: What do you think of Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night?

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He’s okay by me so far. I can’t say I dislike any of the Popes in my lifetime. I was a bit iffy about Paul and Benedict, but have grown fond of both.
 
We have Mischief Night, but it takes place the day before Halloween (October 30th), and the pranks typically lead to vandalism instead of harmless little pranks. The tradition has died down a bit though within the last 10-15 years.

Now, how many people in Britain actually celebrate Halloween? I’ve heard it’s sorta big in Scotland and also all around Ireland, and that’s it had been growing a little bit in England.

I’d also like to add that it’s possible some Guy Fawkes traditions influenced the current Halloween tradition in the USA and Canada.
 
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Pope Benedict was the greatest Pope, but in this PC world that we live in I believe he was forced to stand aside and be replaced by a ‘Don’t offend anyone’ Pope
 
thephilosopher6 - I am ‘British’ of an eclectic historic mix - baptised a Catholic with a mother of Irish Catholic stock, and my father a steadfast convert to Catholicism, who hails from ‘Protestant’ stock that goes back to the time of Henry VIII rebellion from The Church [primarily over the issue of divorce]. The ‘Trick or Treat’ Halloween {eve of all hallows/All Saints] nonsense I have little time for. When it comes to Nov 5th {Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night] I sympathise and empathise with the Catholic cause, since there was much oppression and torture and death for being one, especially a priest. -BUT if the plot had been successful, then it is estimated that many ‘innocent’ folks would have also been killed in what would have been a huge blast. I used to ‘celebrate’ the fireworks and fun, BUT NOT all the torture and death that historically happened as the follow up to the plot. I suspect that most Brits these days just take it as an evening of social fun and get-together, much like I used to.
 
gentlestorm - Your mention of Muslim defeats reminds me that among my own ancestral research I have discovered many notable Crusaders, including a couple of Templar ‘Kings of Jerusalem’; also Charles ‘The Hammer’ Martel - whose Christian army smashed a bigger Muslim army at the Battle of Tours/Poitiers, causing the survivors to retreat back into Spain.
 
Lots of people celebrate Halloween, but 20 years ago it was something and nothing (as my mum would have said). 🙂
 
7_Sorrows said:
I have wondered the same thing myself. I guess patriotic Brits and protestants celebrate the plot failed. How is it for Catholics in England during this holiday? Is it also celebrated in Australia, New Zealand and Canada?
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Not in Australia.
 
What would you is the percentage of the population that celebrates, and what do they exactly do?
 
I’d say most people with school-age kids celebrate it - many people take the children to an organised fireworks display these days, as fireworks are very expensive.

You do still get evening fireworks parties up and down the street, starting as soon as dusk falls and going on till all hours!
 
All our friends with children do something for Bonfire Night) or the nearest weekend.

We have carved pumpkins but that’s about it for Halloween although I know it is more of a thing in towns with lots of younger children.
 
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