“Hallowed”ween

Halloween has been hollowed out. Hallow is the same word for “holy” that we find in the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father), ande’en is a contraction of “evening.” Thus, the word Halloween itself is a shortened form of “All Hallows Eve,” the day before All Saints Day.

But these days, the purpose behind it has been lost, it has become a ghoulish celebration bereft of meaning or worst glorifying evil. It’s like celebrating New Year’s Eve without a New Year’s Day. Delete the saints and our beliefs about the dignity cum destiny of human beings, and the only thing left is pagan superstition regarding the dead.
How do we bring back the “hallow” of Halloween? By linking it back to the two feasts that follow it: All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. A ghost or headless horseman, may be scary, but he is a testimony to our mortality (or perhaps, condemnation, if this life is not lived as it ought to be). And if you insists on coming in a “bloody” costume, keep in mind the first Christian who were either beheaded, eaten by lions or skewered all in the name of their faith.

By the way, if you are looking for an appropriate (but short) prayer for your visit to the cemetery tomorrow, here is a suggestion:

V. Do not remember my sins, O Lord.
R. When you come to judge the world by fire.

V. Direct my way in your sight, O Lord, my God.
R. When you come to judge the world by fire.

V. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him.
R. When you come to judge the world by fire.

V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Our Father…

V. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.

V. From the gates of hell.
R. Deliver his soul, O Lord.

V. May he rest in peace.
R. Amen.

V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to you.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.

Let us pray. Lord, welcome into your presence your son, N., whom you have called from this life. Release him from all his sins, bless him with eternal light and peace, raise him up to live for ever with all your saints in the glory of the resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.