The first time I heard that Halloween was an evil demonic celebration was when I was studying in Mexico in the late '90's. It was by way of an article by an Argentine priest condemning the feast, as not only the work of Satan but as an act of American style cultural imperialism. I would later hear the same argument, minus the demonic angle, condemning sending Christmas cards, and Santa Clause. Now that I work in a predominantly Latino parish every year I must endure the same questions about if it's alright to let children dress up and go trick or treating on October 31. If people only knew how much I'm not scared of Halloween, and how much better the world would be if more Christians (particularly adults) took the same attitude.
I'm not scared of Halloween because I know that it is, from it's origins, a Christian observance. The word Halloween comes to us from 18th century Scotland, where the night before November 1 was referred to as All Hallows Even (All Hallows = All Saints, Even = Eve). So the name itself simply means the Eve of All Saints Day, which is exactly what it is. While the term was being used regularly by the 1740's, there doesn't seem to be any evidence that it was used at all before the 1550's. So it's origins are tied to the Christian observance of All Saints Day.
For a more detailed explanation of the Catholic roots of Halloween go here.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the Celtic pagan influences on the observance. I also understand that various groups, including satanists and wiccans, have adopted the feast and twisted it to their own purposes. What I find more disturbing is how what was always an innocent carnival for children has been turned into an adult affair complete with overly sexualized and ghoulish costumes. But does this mean that Christians should just give up and surrender the day to these unsavory elements? I say no. I say the answer to the problem that is Halloween is to reclaim it and accent it's Catholic roots.
Just as we fight to keep Christ in Christmas and keep the focus on the Resurrection at Easter in the face of the secular distractions associated with those feasts, we should keep the Saints in Halloween. While the Nativity and Easter are more important than All Saints Day, it is a Solemnity and a holy day of obligation. We shouldn't surrender, even it's vigil, to secular tastes. If we are unhappy with the emphasis on the dark side, then it is for us to shine the light on holiness, which is what All Saints Day is about. So if I am going to make any suggestions it would be these 2:
1. Re-establish in our minds the link between Halloween and All Saints Day. These are not two celebrations that just happen to be on successive days. Halloween is not a demonic inversion of All Saints Day, either. It is the Eve, or Vigil of All Saints Day. We will celebrate the Mass for the Solemnity that evening, and any parties celebrated should reflect that fact.
2. Dressing in costumes are good, especially for children. It helps to cultivate their imaginations, and is just plain fun. But either have your child dress like saint or at the very least like something positive and innocent like a historical figure or fictional hero.
What I wouldn't do is just say no to Halloween and not offer an alternative. Their friends will be out that night, and your children will simply sit at home not understanding what the big deal is. Eventually they may come to understand, but we still will have missed an opportunity to catechize and build community spirit.
Worse yet, we will be surrendering to the dominant culture, denying our own heritage while thinking that we are doing the opposite.
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