Halloween can be a tricky subject for Catholic parents. Should kids go trick-or-treating, dress up in costumes, or avoid the holiday altogether? On Father Simon Says, Father Richard Simon offers a practical approach built on moderation, common sense, and keeping Christ at the center.
Most importantly, Father Simon encourages families to place Halloween within its Catholic context: All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day.
Together, these days remind us of Christ’s victory over sin and death, the glory of the saints, and our responsibility to pray for the faithful departed.
In celebrating Halloween, he suggests dressing children as saints, superheroes, or favorite literary characters rather than demons or occult figures. He fondly recalls his godson’s elaborate childhood costumes, including Charlie Chaplin and Pinocchio. Halloween, he explains, can be a joyful childhood tradition without celebrating darkness.
Father Simon encourages parents to embrace the innocent fun of costumes and candy while embracing its Catholic roots and steering clear of anything that glorifies evil.
“Forbidden fruit is the sweetest,” Father Simon warns. Making Halloween completely off-limits could unintentionally make its darker secular elements more appealing to children.
Father Simon cautions against both an unhealthy fascination with the occult as well as excessive fear of it.
“A healthy fear of occult things is good to teach your children, but a dread of it? No.”
As Catholics, we have the ultimate answer to the devil and his allies: Christ.
His message to Catholic parents is simple: enjoy the candy, celebrate the saints, and teach children that Christ has already conquered evil.
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