Catholic youth wing want to replace Celtic pagan tradition of Halloween for 'Holyween'?

Question

"This is the perfect opportunity for kids to unite against Halloween. Some of them have already begun hanging pictures of local saints," he said.

Er..not the kids from round my way they aint! Are they shunning Halloween for ‘Holyween’ near you?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20101027/tod-catholic-group-shuns-halloween-for-h-bf135d8.html

Answer 1

Halloween falls on a very important date in the Celtic Calender. its a bit ironic the Catholics want to take this festival over as well as they've built their other festivals around Celtic/Pagan Calendar and even built churches over their places of worship.



Samhain (sow-een or sow'-inn)

Traditional date: October 31 to November 1

Actual astrological date: Nov 6 in 2008

Midpoint between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice

The largest and most important festival, great tribal gatherings on Tara Hill

The beginning of the dark half of the year, exact opposite day of Beltrane

First Celtic fire festival (male)

Gaelic "samhraidhreadh" means "summer's end"

Irish "Samhain" means the month of November

Celtic New Year's Eve

Third and final harvest festival

The day when day (light) does not exist

Preparation to survive the winter, confront the possibility of death was paramount

The "Fleadh nan Mairbh" Feast of the Dead to honour the past clan souls

Celebrates the last harvest, the cycle of life and spirits passed

Ceremonies involve fire, lights, setting out food and gifts for passing spirits

All fires are extinquished and relit from the sacred bonfire

Stories are told around the fires as there is not much to do outside

The veil between the world (Shield of Skathach) is thin, allowing spirits to cross over

Colours: Black, browns, reds, oranges

Evolved to Halloween and All Saints Day

Answer 2

Seeing as All Hallow's Eve is the day before a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation (All Saint's Day), followed by All Souls Day, I believe it is a well meant, but somewhat misguided attepmt at driving home what Halloween was originally all about - the day before commemorating and remembering the Saints.



Oddly enough, though Halloween and All Saint's Day was celebrated in the Catholic schools I attended, yet some of my non-Catholic colleagues are dead against it, and see it as worshipping witches and ghosts, and they say Catholics are barmy?

Answer 3

Many people in America, especially Fundamentalists are opposed to Halloween and call it "Satanic" and things like that. Growing up Catholic, I mostly heard not to pull pranks and for our costumes not to be too ghoulish, and be careful where you go to trick-or treat.



I understand what you are saying about Catholics being opposed, but most of the people I know who oppose Halloween are conservative, Fundamentalist Protestants, and they would be as opposed, if not more opposed to Catholic 'Saints' as they are to witches or ghosts, they'd consider them all 'Satanic" or something. Some Protestants in this country even object due to the Catholic origins of "All Hallow's Eve" being the night before the Catholic Feast of All Saint's Day which they consider wrong since it involves prayers (for intercession) and honoring saints.



I do remember hearing at my Catholic grade school, before I started (in the 4th grade) some little kids had dressed up as their favorite Saint or Biblical Character, or a priest (before all the scandals) or nuns for a school Halloween party, so maybe it's not all that unusual.

Answer 4

Horrible American nonsense. The English abandoned Halloween in the 17th century and moved their habit of burning men on bonfires to 5th November. It's only come back because of American hegemony. Let's round up all the trick or treaters and force feed them on fish and chips.



As for the story, there is no Celtic tradition in Italy. I suspect it's another Sun wind-up.

Answer 5

Makes sense. Halloween is actually about All Saints Day. It is "All Hallows Eve" the eve of All Saints day.



It isn't Celtic pagan as you suggest. There are pagan things that have been added late, but that isn't the original.



http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Catholic/2000/10/Surprise-Halloweens-Not-A-Pagan-Festivalafter-All.aspx

Answer 6

I look out my window and can see ten houses with Witches bromsticks hanging in the windows and one even with a Skeleton on the door Not working here must say by first looks.

Answer 7

It's already a holiday with a strong Catholic/Christian association. Whaddya think "All Hallows Eve" means?

Answer 8

It is a Christian holy day 'All hallows eve'' but no dressing up required for that.



They can commemorate the day any way they like.



I doubt you have many Catholics down your way dont you live in one of those nice Moslem ghettoes where there is no crime and everyone is welcome?