Then why the heck do we even dress up our kids as evil creatures on All Hallows' Eve???
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MANILA, Philippines - Roman Catholic dioceses can start a new tradition, a “march of saints” for Halloween, with children going around the neighborhood dressed up as their favorite saint, a group said yesterday.
“There is a growing concern among Christians, in general, that the modern celebration of Halloween threatens to take over the proper observance of All Saints’ (Day). Halloween’s powerful commercial appeal has largely succeeded in trivializing and even glamorizing evil, the occult, and superstitious and pagan practice and beliefs that are incompatible with the Christian faith,” the Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls (PWHS) said in a statement.
The group is a national association of Catholic lay faithful and a member of the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Council of the Laity of the Philippines).
The group said many Catholics have become apprehensive over the thought that Halloween would replace the observance of All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2.
The march of saints “is a tradition that has the potential to draw people’s attention away from glamorized symbols and personifications of evil and direct their focus on the heroic lives of the saints and their victory over evil by the grace of God,” the PWHS said.
The group said the march of saints would distract people from participating in “trick or treat” neighborhood visits and Halloween parties. Those participating in the march would also be in costume and could bring their own props as they go around the neighborhood, the PWHS said.
The group said there is an urgent need to reclaim the sacredness of All Saints’ Day and this could be accomplished by “creating a counterculture that will serve as a Christ-centered alternative to Halloween for the benefit of present and future generations.”
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Hey!
I know some "guys" who dress up and pose like saints all year round.
Catholic Cosplay anyone?
As a parent, would you even find it fun to see your child a creature of evil???
No, I won't.
I'll be on the watch for my grandkids.
NICE LOVELY pictures of those kids!
ReplyDeleteYes, too bad even so many Catholics do not realize the importance of the Solemnitas Omnium Sanctorum on November 1. In fact, this is a once in a year reminder of the item in the Credo that we profess: The Communio Sanctorum.
In fact, they confuse this with the November 2 celebration of the Memorial of Defunctis Fidelis (the faithful departed).
You are right, these 2 days has been commercialized and has become a commercialization of the occult and all those fictionary horror creatures.
Contrary to popular belief, the Nov 1 Solemnity is a Feast of ALL Saints, NOT LISTED in the Roman Martyrology, i.e. they are not in the Canon or NOT LISTED, but have been nevertheless saved, thanks to the Sufferings and Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This might be anyone in this myriads of people on festal gatherings from all people and nations. It could be your Lola, Lolo, your Parents who have left us and are now enjoying the beatific Vision of God in eternal bliss. The Church canonizes people as exemplars and as intercessors, but this does not stop her from celebrating the success of Christ's death also in other souls whom she had not canonized, and in joining the Praise of the Church Triumphant.
Omnis Sancti, Orate pro nobis!
For Nov 2, we remember with prayerful reverence the souls of those departed, especially those who lived with us like our relatives, an expression of our trust in the Infinite Mercy of God and our sense of his perfect Justice for all sins committed by these souls. We pray for their immediate cleansing of purgation so that they may soon enter the complete or perfect happiness which is BEING WITH GOD. This feast is an expression of union of us, the Church Militant, to the Church Suffering.
Oremus pro fidelibus defunctis...
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
Et Lux Perpetua luceat eis.
Requiescat in pace (Christi surrecti).
Amen!
How wonderful is our faith that expresses the Mystical Union under Christ is head of all Faithful, those still alive and struggling on earth, and those who already have left this world, both in purgation or those in the eternal Embrace of the Father.
Credo in Unum Deum...
Et unam, sanctam, cathólicam et apostólicam Ecclésiam.
Confíteor unum baptísma in remissiónem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam ventúri sæculi. Amen.