This came out as memory on Facebook and I thought it is good to share, with few edits.
I was asked to play a vampire role. I said that for the fun of it, I may if only I won't be traveling at the time of presentation, and even if I don't believe in halloween. They were surprised, "Ah, you don't believe in halloween? Are you not a Catholic?" someone asked.
"I am a member of the Catholic church. Why, does or did the Catholic church ever celebrate halloween that way?"
I did not get an answer so I took the opportunity to answer my own question. "Catholic church does not celebrate halloween like that. Did you ever see a church decorated with demons, vampires and the likes? No."
*Then I shared what a priest once advised during his homily:
Kung gusto niyong sumali o isali ang mga anak niyo sa kapistahan ng mga santo, magbihis kayo o bihisan niyo sila ng parang santo. Hindi mga demonyo at impakto!
That is, if you want to take part in the celebration of All Saints Day then dress or dress your kids like saints, not demons or vampires!
The above FB memory was a conversation with my colleagues when I was still in the corporate world. They were preparing for a play in "celebration" of the halloween. I wonder what is there to celebrate with all those demons and vampires that they were planning.
I never joined the demonic plays of halloween either in school or in the community. That is because I don't understand why I should do it. For the fun of it like I reasoned out above? I don't see the fun. I may consider the fun for kids with the trick-or-treat but do they really have to dress like demons? How about dressing like saints?
Regardless of which religion you are affiliated with, or lack of it, do you think it is logical to associate All Saints Day with demons and vampires? Does that make sense at all?
According to Wikipedia,
Halloween or Hallowe'en (less commonly known as Allhalloween,[5] All Hallows' Eve,[6] or All Saints' Eve)[7] is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It begins the observance of Allhallowtide,[8] the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering and praying for all faithful departed.[9][10]
So again, halloween is remembering the faithful departed. Have they become demons and vampires that people dress that way?
Would your child look good like this?
Or will it be better like this?
