“Halloween is a custom alien to our culture, tradition, and faith. Instead of scaring, let’s celebrate with the saints. I encourage you to join the Holy Wins campaign. It promotes holiness, joy, and goodness,” said the spokesman of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik.
All Saints’ Day reminds us that we are all called to holiness. Hence the popularity, also in Poland, of the Holy Wins initiative when children dress up as their favorite saints, i.a. the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. John Paul II, Mother Teresa or St. Rita.
The spokesman of the Episcopate stressed that Christians do not celebrate Halloween. „We celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints and remember those who passed away, especially on All Souls’ Day. The Polish tradition of prayer for the departed, decoration of graves and visits to cemeteries is beautiful”.
On All Souls’ Day, Polish families go to cemeteries to pray and light candles on the graves of their loved ones. They also pray for those for whom no one prays, as well as for souls suffering in Purgatory.
From the 1st to the 8th of November we celebrate the Octave of All Saints’ Day. That means one can gain a plenary indulgence by receiving Holy Communion, visiting a cemetery and praying in Pope’s intentions. This indulgence is applicable only to the souls in Purgatory.
