Every October, the debate rages in mom groups. "Halloween glorifies Satan!" vs "It's just candy and fun!" Here is the balanced Catholic view.
The Danger Zone
Yes, modern culture has twisted Halloween.
- Gore/Murder: Dressing as serial killers or glorifying torture is not healthy. It desensitizes us to violence.
- Occult: Ouija boards, séances, and spelling-casting are gravely sinful. They open doors to demons. Avoid them at all costs.
The Safe Zone
Dressing up as Spiderman, a princess, or a hot dog is innocent fun. Mocking the devil is a Catholic tradition. St. Thomas More said: "The devil, the spirit of pride, cannot endure to be mocked."
The Middle Ground (All Saints Party)
Many parishes host an "All Saints Party" on Oct 31 or Nov 1. Kids dress as saints. Verdict: You can celebrate Halloween, but keep it wholesome. Focus on the Light, not the Darkness.
Be in the world, not of it. Find kid-friendly saint costumes on the MyPrayerTower app.