Halloween or All Hallows Eve?

Icon of all Saints

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the Church calendar All Saints' Day (All Hallows or Hallowmas) refers to a feast celebrated on November 1 in honor of all the saints. Halloween, or the Eve of All Hallows, is the day preceding it. In catholicism (the universal expression of the Christian Faith), the feast remembers all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven, while the next day, All Souls' Day remembers and gives thanks for the lives of those who have died and Christ and now repose or rest in Him.

Here is a family prayer used after treat or treating:

“Thank you Christ our God for having conquered Death by Death. Thank You that You are greater than all evil. Even the demons obey You. Lord, help us to always flee from evil or to struggle against it when we see it around us or in our own souls. Thank You for the blessings that come from struggling against evil. Lord, we thank you for the candy we received from our generous neighbors, and help us to remember that You, Holy Spirit, are the Treasury of good things and the Giver of Life. Amen.”

Here are links to a poem and a novel related to this subject, as well as information about All Saints Day.

The Deeper Mysteries of Halloween

Charles Williams' novel All Hallows Eve is the story of a man and woman whose love was so great it could bridge the gap of death; of evil so terrible as to be unmentionable, of a vision so beautiful it must be true.

All Saints Day