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With the dark night of Halloween behind us - in our times a strident combination of the occult and militant secularism - let us rejoice in the light of Christ shining through His beloved saints.
In 610 A.D., Pope Boniface IV, no believer in unity without truth, converted the Roman Pantheon from being a 'temple to all gods' into a Catholic church. Boniface dedicated this new church to The Blessed Virgin Mary and All the Christian Martyrs. The bones of unknown Christian martyrs were brought from the Catacombs to be venerated. The anniversary of the dedication of this new church was celebrated as a feast in honour of all those who had been martyred for Christ. As time went by, the feast was extended to honour all of God's saints and the feast was established throughout the Universal Church on the 1st November.
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival day in honour of all the Saints: at whose solemnity the angels rejoice, and give praise to the Son of God. Ps. 32. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise becometh the upright. Gloria Patria, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto (Introit).
It is truly sad to witness so many people today decorating their children, homes and offices in the darkest of occult symbolism on the 31st October and the days prior to it. What truly is being celebrated in all of that?Â
We were heartened to read the words of Fr. Aldo Buonaiuto calling on familes to scrap Halloween altogether.  Â
Fr. Aldo, an Italian priest with the International Association of Exorcists (IAE) had been taking part in the Vatican's official conference for exorcists. Some 300 Catholic priests from all over the world had travelled in to Rome to take part in this important event.Â
Echoing the warnings of priests such as Fr. Gabriel Amorth, he cautioned that many young people are getting caught up with Satanism in these times.
Speaking to the Italian newspaper La Nazione, Fr. Aldo noted: 'Halloween originates from superstitions that exalt malign spirits and demons. Many people see it as a simple carnival, but it is anything but innocent, it is a subterranean world based on the occult... Halloween is the antechamber towards something more disturbing. For devotees of the occult, 31st October is the satanic new year. It is a time for luring new converts. And it is a time when exorcists have to work harder.'
Fr. Aldo explained: 'With the arrival of Halloween, there is an increase in black magic rites, sacrilege and the adoration of Satan, as well as demonic possessions.' He noted that many parents contact the exorcists' helpline with concerns about the behaviour of their children. During the Halloween period, there is a large increase to around 40 calls each day. 'For the sects it is the best time of the year to recruit new members. From here the door to the devil can be opened. For this reason it is necessary for us to speak out and not play down the danger.' Â
Tragically, with the loss of the sense of the sacred in present-day society, many young people are trying to fill the void which only Christ can fill by getting involved in the occult. Fr. Aldo reports that there is a growth in Satanism which has resulted in black masses, a 'market' for stolen Hosts, vampyrism, rape and torture.Â
To counter these dangers, the Catholic Church in Italy has proposed 'Holyween', a night filled with Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration: 'While most people are steeped in zombies and horror we put in our door or windows a light or an image evocative of the saints. And then there will be Masses, prayer vigils, and worship to celebrate the saints and victory of good over evil.'
This initiative all sounds very positive. Let us also join in with our Holy Mother the Church in celebrating the Feast of All Saints with great joy. With the saints, let us accept God's grace and give up all compromise with the devil, with sin, with religious indifferentism, with presumptious 'gradualism' and with worldliness.Â
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God: blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God: blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven (Communion - Matthew:5).
