Group wants kids to be ‘saints’ for Halloween

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.”