The Vatican Condemned Halloween Last Year

[gurneyhalleck1]

True! Hey Lost, where ru in the Philippines? I was just there in June, Baguio and Manila…

This is actually quite true. However, is it just me or do they always seem to portray such priests as exceedingly handsome? ??

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p136/RobinSena_28/TrinAbel.jpg
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu49/Croos_Marian/ArchBishopDesign.png

Then again, comics tend to do the same with nuns these days so I guess I shouldn’t be complaining.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

What ? Those folks see a problem ? I knew those Franciscans were scrupulous !

j/k, thaks for posting that. It’s good they are concerned.

Cited from the article:

So how do we separate the symbols of Halloween? Do we stop serving cider and doughnuts because apples were sacred to the Roman goddess Pomona, and doughnuts were once set out as “food” for the souls of the dead (their circular shape indicating eternity)? Of course not. Our gratitude for God’s bounty eclipses all that.

What about trick or treat? In the Middle Ages there was a superstition that those who had died the previous year without being reconciled to you might rise to haunt you, appearing as will-o’-the-wisps or ghosts. The apparition jarred you so you would release them by prayer and forgiveness. You might also appease them with “soul cakes”—cookies, fried cakes, “treats”—so they wouldn’t do you any mischief with their “tricks.” Soon those who were living began to use the occasion for reconciliation. To wipe the slate clean for the coming year, they came, masked and unrecognizable, and boldly bargained for treats.

The connection between trick or treat and forgiveness deserves to be reclaimed, don’t you think? While we wait for an imaginative catechist to draw up a format, we can allow our kids to enjoy the costumes, the goodies, the excitement of traipsing around after dark if we exercise prudence. Most communities now impose a curfew for trick or treat, and most parents select the houses of friends they know. Sometimes the PTA will sponsor a party. Avoiding costumes and decorations that glorify witches and devils goes without saying, but there’s no reason to fear skeletons, skulls or Thomas More with his head tucked under his arm. After all, can’t skulls and skeletons be healthy reminders of human mortality? Can’t witches and devils symbolize the evil Christ has overcome?

Sounds like they don’t really agree with you either.

 

[Ockham]

Despite that, these are the same people you can still see swarming your local cemetery and attending mass.

So yeah, I don’t think there’s any impossibility in celebrating both.

I never said it was impossible I’m saying based on attendance at All Saints’ and Souls’ Days Masses the vast majority of Catholics prefer the secular Halloween over their own Holy Days.

 

[archangel04]

Precisely. And when did this shift occur?

I think you know the answer to that, it’s ususally pointed out that this occur post V2

Even Muslims get it

We are not Muslims. I consider myself traditional Catholic, but as I said before this type of holloween is very different from what the druids celebrated. That same thing could be said about Chrcistmas and Easter, all have a “pagan” root, but any well educated Catholic knows that our holidays have nothing to do with paganism.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

True! Hey Lost, where ru in the Philippines? I was just there in June, Baguio and Manila…

Actually I live further down south, meaning less malls and buildings and more small houses, more nature… and more farms.

I’m faar from a country bumpkin though, even by Filipino standards. I sometimes envy the people living in the capital even though they have more pollution and more slums. It’s there you get to see the more globalized side of Filipino society and I wouldn’t be surprised if the middle-class areas there already have trick-or-treat or hold costume parties every October.

They certainly have a bigger cosplay community, that’s for sure. >.<;;

Then again, you’d see these same folks flocking and crowding the cemeteries every year during this month. With my semester break coming, I wouldn’t be surprised if my parents would have me and my sister fly over to my hometown and visit our dead grandfather and our recently deceased uncle (God bless his soul, the poor chap >_>;; ).

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I never said it was impossible I’m saying based on attendance at All Saints’ and Souls’ Days Masses the vast majority of Catholics prefer the secular Halloween over their own Holy Days.

Not over here.

 

[MarianD]

Just wanted to say that I’m dressing up as a priest for Halloween.

Senior year…they let us go to school dressed up.

 

[FairyGirl]

The Vatican condemned Halloween last year: content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/10/vatican-warns-parents-that-halloween-is-anti-christian/1

Are we not allowed to pass out candy to kids?

That’s interesting, as our parents have not supported Halloween that much in the past. It’s such a secularized holiday.

 

[NE_Catholic]

Growing up, my parents did not allow us to Trick or Treat. Mom believed Halloween was “Satanic”. Me? I can’t wait to take my little Princess out. It’s a social event with no Satanic undertones. No one is preaching for the Devil or trying to convert you to Satanism. I am, however, saddened by the adults who have turned it and Madi Gras into nights of debauchery. Even the children’s costume parades are now run by adults who inject all kinds of social, political and liberal statements into them.We can’t put up a Manger on the town common but I have to witness Gay Activists handing out condoms to children?

 

[Ockham]

Not over here.

Consider yourself lucky because over here it’s secular over tradition.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Consider yourself lucky because over here it’s secular over tradition.

I think the problem with your statement is that it is too general. Catholics are a majority here while a minority where you are. Remember, we are a global religion. We may be One Church but that does not exclude the diversity that is the result of its members coming from all different corners of the globe and have grown up in different cultural environments. Hence, you can’t just say “a majority of Catholics do this and that…”

 

[Ockham]

I think the problem with your statement is that it is too general. Catholics are a majority here while a minority where you are. Remember, we are a global religion. We may be One Church but that does not exclude the diversity that is the result of its members coming from all different corners of the globe and have grown up in different cultural environments. Hence, you can’t just say “a majority of Catholics do this and that…”

Alrightie then…a majority of North American Catholics participate in the secular Halloween over the Holy Days of All Saints and Souls.

I like your observation of the Church being global and hope that universality continues to apply to the liturgy.

 

[At_Trent]

Just wanted to say that I’m dressing up as a priest for Halloween.
.

We have a lot of guys that do that every Sunday in our diocese. Been a tradition since the early 70’s

A lot of women have been doing it too these days 'cept they take it a bit too far

 

[archangel04]

We have a lot of guys that do that every Sunday in our diocese. Been a tradition since the early 70’s

A lot of women have been doing it too these days 'cept they take it a bit too far

Ja ja sad, but still very funny.

 

[At_Trent]

That same thing could be said about Chrcistmas and Easter, all have a “pagan” root, but any well educated Catholic knows that our holidays have nothing to do with paganism.

I know, I just like getting some of the regulars here’s goat.

It’s funny to see them get mad when they should know better. I think the word “Trent” in my ID makes them very nervous.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

South as in Mindinao and Cebu or southern Luzon? My wife is a taga-Baguio. Her father was Tagalog, from Bulacan, her mother Ilocana from Baguio/La Union, etc. We spent the bulk of our time in Baguio, just a little in Manila. I can’t get over the total lack of amenities in Baguio. Wow. Plus I caught Typhoid Fever (so did my daughter) while I was there. Good times!

Actually I live further down south, meaning less malls and buildings and more small houses, more nature… and more farms.

I’m faar from a country bumpkin though, even by Filipino standards. I sometimes envy the people living in the capital even though they have more pollution and more slums. It’s there you get to see the more globalized side of Filipino society and I wouldn’t be surprised if the middle-class areas there already have trick-or-treat or hold costume parties every October.

They certainly have a bigger cosplay community, that’s for sure. >.<;;

Then again, you’d see these same folks flocking and crowding the cemeteries every year during this month. With my semester break coming, I wouldn’t be surprised if my parents would have me and my sister fly over to my hometown and visit our dead grandfather and our recently deceased uncle (God bless his soul, the poor chap >_>;; ).

 

[archangel04]

I know, I just like getting some of the regulars here’s goat.

It’s funny to see them get mad when they should know better. I think the word “Trent” in my ID makes them very nervous.

Nah it’s the sword and shiel on your avatar that makes them nervous lol.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

South as in Mindinao and Cebu or southern Luzon? My wife is a taga-Baguio. Her father was Tagalog, from Bulacan, her mother Ilocana from Baguio/La Union, etc. We spent the bulk of our time in Baguio, just a little in Manila. I can’t get over the total lack of amenities in Baguio. Wow. Plus I caught Typhoid Fever (so did my daughter) while I was there. Good times!

Mindanao. I admit, its quite peaceful and more orderly here compared to the more crowded cities of Luzon and Visayas. In exchange for that peace though, it gets… kinda boring here.

 

[JadeStarr]

I think it’s veiled hate. I celebrate Halloween and I intend to totally enjoy every person
who comes to my door for candy and prizes.
I don’t care what the age of the person is.
I already have my decorations up. I try to show as much respect for the Pagan faith as
I do for any other religion. It’s a faith dear to the heart of some folks and it deserves
to be treated with gentleness.

 

[Julianna]

DH and I are going to a Halloween Party, the Saturday before…hosted btw by a co worker…who is Catholic. And we will be passing out candy on Halloween at our home on Halloween night, per usual. My office at work has Halloween decorations around my desk area and wall. And on the same wall is an 8x10 of St. Michael with the prayer. Since I work with our troops…I put St. Michael up. (and a few of our guys/gals in uniform have made positive comments about it)