Can Christians celebrate Halloween? The forgotten beauty of Allhallowtide
- Ilona
- Oct 31
- 4 min read
Every October, as pumpkins appear on porches and store shelves fill with spiderwebs and skeletons, many Christians pause and wonder: Should we even celebrate Halloween? For some, the holiday feels too dark, too secular — maybe even too removed from faith. But the truth might surprise you: Halloween actually has deeply Catholic roots, and it was never meant to glorify darkness at all.
In fact, the name Halloween itself means "All Hallows' Eve" — the holy evening before All Saints Day. It's part of a three-day celebration known as Allhallowtide, a sacred time that unites heaven, earth, and purgatory in prayer, reflection, and light. Let's take a closer look at what these days really mean — and how we, as Christians, can celebrate them in a way that honors their true purpose.
October 31 — All Hallows' Eve
Before there were costumes and candy, there was prayer and preparation. In the early Church, vigils were common before great feasts — evenings of reflection, prayer, and anticipation. All Hallows' Eve was just that: a vigil before the celebration of all God's holy ones.
In medieval times, Catholics would gather for Mass, light candles, and sometimes act out plays about good triumphing over evil. The night wasn’t about fear — it was about faith.
The tradition of giving out soul cakes dates back to the Middle Ages, when children went door-to-door saying prayers for the dead — the children went "souling", asking for soul cakes from house to house, quite possibly a precursor to trick or treating.
The costumes and cakes were reminders of the Church's teaching that death has been conquered, and that we are part of a much greater story. It was meant to be joyful — a celebration of the victory of light over darkness.
November 1 — All Saints Day
This is the heart of it all — a feast of light and holiness. All Saints Day honors every soul in heaven, both the famous and the forgotten. The canonized and the countless. It reminds us that sanctity is not just for a chosen few — it's our calling too. The saints were ordinary people who let extraordinary grace shine through their lives. They remind us that holiness can be found in small acts of love, faithfulness, and service.
November 2 — All Souls Day
While All Saints Day celebrates the souls in heaven, All Souls Day invites us to pray for those still on their journey — the souls in purgatory being purified in God's love. It’s a tender, hopeful day. We visit cemeteries, light candles, and pray for our loved ones who have gone before us. It’s a reminder that love never ends — and that our prayers matter.
In Poland, where I am from, this day is especially beautiful. Cemeteries glow with thousands of flickering candles, families bring flowers to the graves of their loved ones, and prayers rise into the night air. It’s a quiet, reverent tradition — a sea of light shining in the darkness, reminding us that death does not have the final word.
How to celebrate Allhallowtide as a Christian
If you've felt uneasy about Halloween, maybe it's time to reclaim it — not with fear or superstition, but with faith and joy. Here are a few ways to bring the light back into this season:
Light a candle for loved ones who have passed away.
Pray the Litany of the Saints with your family.
Visit a cemetery and offer prayers for the souls in purgatory.
Celebrate beauty over fear — decorate with candles, saints' images, and symbols of eternal life rather than skulls and monsters.
Share a simple act of love — bake bread, give to the poor, or simply spend time reflecting on eternity.
And yes, enjoy the evening! Hand out treats, smile at your neighbors, and use the opportunity to spread joy and peace. The saints were known for their laughter and warmth, not their fear.
Bringing back the holiness in Halloween
So yes — Christians can celebrate Halloween. But maybe not the way the world does. We can celebrate by reclaiming it, by remembering the saints and souls, and by filling these days with prayer, gratitude, and light.
All Hallows' Eve reminds us that we belong to something eternal. All Saints Day reminds us of the glory waiting for us. All Souls Day reminds us to love those still on the way. Together, they form a sacred thread that ties heaven and earth together — and invites us to live with joy, hope, and holiness.
Celebrating with pure goodness
Just as Allhallowtide invites us to honor saints and souls with light, prayer, and care, we can reflect that same holiness in the way we care for ourselves. At Malina, we see beauty in God's creation — in the simplicity of olive oil, lavender, and tallow. These gifts remind us that what God made is already good, and we don't need "magic potions" or synthetic tricks to experience true beauty.
What we put on our skin can reflect what we believe in — purity, integrity, and gratitude. While the world reaches for "witches' brews" and "magic elixirs", we embrace balms, tallow creams, and soaps made with ingredients created by God for our benefit. Our kind of beauty doesn't need spells — it shines through the goodness of creation.
To make this season sweeter, we’re offering 10% off all full-priced items in our Malina shop. Simply use the code ALLSAINTS at checkout.
Happy Allhallowtide, dear friends.
May this season bring peace to your soul, light to your home, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of creation — inside and out.
About the Author
Ilona is the founder of Malina Organix, a Traditional Catholic, wife, dog mom, and passionate advocate for natural living. She combines her love for gardening, running, and traditional values to create skincare with pure, simple ingredients—free from fillers and gimmicks. Rooted in her faith that God created healing ingredients, Ilona is guided by integrity and transparency, believing in the power of truly natural products to nourish and heal.
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