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Father Len reveals that Halloween actually began as a Catholic Church holiday celebrating our mystical connection with all those who have died.
Highlights, Ideas, and Wisdom
- Most of our holidays have Catholic origins. There are exceptions like Columbus Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.
- Halloween is the Catholic feast of All Saints who are in heaven and calling us to join them.
- Father Len shares his love of giving people a “little bit of a scare.”
- From the very beginning of Christianity it has been a custom to remember and celebrate the anniversary of the death of all Saints.
- The idea for Halloween costumes began in France where they would dress up as Saints to celebrate their virtues.
- Kids receiving treats on Halloween originated in England. Kids and poor people would go from house to house singing or “souling” and promising to go to church and pray for deceased family members of the household. In return, they’d receive either candied apples or “soul cakes.”
- Father Len shares the story of “Stingy Jack” to explain how Jack-o’-lanterns became part of Halloween.
- “Stations of the Sun” by Ronald Hutton
- Halloween as we know it today is a combination of various European customs that we’ve mixed together here in the United States.
- The modern world tries to unhinge the profound truth of the original celebration of Halloween and the feast of All Saints. That is our mystical connection with the dead who are trying to pull us into the great feast of love in heaven.