MANILA, Philippines – Halloween is coming up very soon, and you and your family might be excitedly planning to attend Halloween-themed events in your area. If you’re a parent, you’re probably also excited about seeing your children all dressed up in costumes, ready to go “trick-or-treating.”
Now, while there is nothing wrong with this, and I totally respect other people’s beliefs, I’d like to emphasize something really important — especially to my fellow Catholics. The main focus of Halloween should be on preparing for “All Hallows,” i.e. “All Saints” (the feast of All Saints, which falls on November 1). I won’t go into detail about this anymore, since I’ve written about Halloween and All Hallows’ Eve before, but here’s a useful infographic from CFC Kids for Christ that helps explain it all:
Our Catholic homeschool group actually had an early Halloween/Holyween celebration very recently, and even if it was a last-minute decision to push through with the party, it was a success with God’s help (and the support and cooperation of all those who attended, of course!).
The truth is, you don’t need much to celebrate Halloween in a “holier” way — in fact, you can even have your own simple celebration at home.
However, if you want to celebrate with other like-minded people, I’ve tried to compile a list of “holier” Halloween events set to take place in Metro Manila and other places. I encourage you to try to attend one, especially if you’re a parent!
1. All Saints Day Celebration
Where: Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Brookside Hills Subdivision, Cainta
When: October 24, 2015, 2.30 p.m. onwards
Contact details: (02) 6562533 / CM Shjp on Facebook
2. Annual March of Saints
Where: Saint James the Great Parish, Ayala Alabang
When: October 24, 2015, before the 10 a.m. Mass
Contact details: (02) 8071623, (02) 8425140
3. March of Saints
Where: Holy Family Parish, Roxas, Quezon City
When: October 30, 2015, 5 p.m. onwards
Contact details: Holy Family Parish Youth Ministry on Facebook / Telephone number: 0927-669 8243
4. YFC Ateneo's Holyween Party (For teens and/or college students)
Where: Katipunan Avenue
When: October 30, 2015, 6 p.m. onwards
Contact details: YFC-A’s Holy-ween Party (Event page) on Facebook
5. Kingdom of Heaven Fair
Where: Christ the King Parish, Greenmeadows, Quezon City
When: October 31, 2015, 3-6 p.m.
Contact details: Kingdom of Heaven Fair on Facebook / Telephone number: 0998-9991576
6. Parade of Saints
Where: San Jose Parish, Ampid, San Mateo, Rizal
When: October 31, 2015
Contact details: (02) 2971109 / 4945480
7. "Mga Santong Nabuhay Ating Ipagpugay"" Procession of Saints
Where: Diocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
When: October 31, 2015, 3 p.m. onwards
Contact details: Holyween 2015 on Facebook / Telephone number: 0906 328 6424
8. March of All Saints: A Christ-Centered Alternative to Halloween
Where: Santo Domingo Parish, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
When: October 31, 2015, 3 p.m. onwards
Contact details: (02) 743-7756 / 743-2124
If you can’t attend any of these events, I still encourage you and your family to celebrate Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day in meaningful ways. For some ideas, you can read my older articles here and here.
For more inspiration on how to live liturgically according to the Catholic faith, please feel free to visit my website at TrulyRichMom.com, or connect with me via my Facebook page: Truly Rich and Blessed. You can also send me an email at tina@trulyrichmom.com.