Here's another clever costume:
Halloween seems to have had a resurgence in popularity over the years especially with adults in arrested development.
I have always loved Halloween and thought it a unique American experiment. We know that fundamentalist Protestants detest the popery of it all though especially Catholic worship of the cult of the saints. They think we are a cult.
However, several years ago I was in Rome on All Hallows Eve, Halloween for the vulgar, and there were Italian children trick or treating. How cool and ghoulish is that!
In Augusta, the Alleluia Community does not allow their children to wear horror costumes, but rather they are to dress up as saints and martyrs. Part of their rationale is that we as Catholics should not dabble in the occult aspects of the secular observance of All Hallows Eve, Halloween for you vulgar.
What do you think? Should Catholic children and their arrested in development parents and older adults dress as saints or goblins?
17 comments:
They should dress as they choose, Saint or Goblin. Dressing as a goblin is no more "dabbling in the occult" than watching the Wizard of Oz, telling ghost stories around a campfire, or eating candy collected during Trick-or-Treating.
Shall we avoid Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, or Snow White because the stories involve witchery?
There are some, like the Catholics in the Alleluia Community who would agree that we should avoid all of the things you mention. They would see you as a part of the problem not the solution. Obviously, though, Catholics can agree to disagree on this topic so we shouldn't be too rigid in condemning those Catholics who want to avoid these things at all costs.
It's fun. Some folks are kill joys. Some go overboard on the scary stuff but kids dressing up as Power Rangers and Princesses are just fun pretend stuff. Plus CANDY!!! Those sexy costumes for women are too much.
There is less focus on the reason for the season, All Saints. I wish that could more love.
I'm not condemning anyone.
If they want to avoid anything "occult" they should start with the dollar bills in their pockets. The eye on the top of the pyramid is taken from Egyptian mythology - the Eye of Horus.
They should never use the number "11" since it is full of occult significance and power. In fact, all prime numbers are favorites of occultists. They should be avoided.
Or, they can realize that these things have no "power" whatsoever, that they are not doorways to the demonic, and that witchcraft, in fact, doesn't exist. No one was ever turned into a newt by a witch's curse.
"Witchcraft doesn't exist"
That would be an interesting statement to run by an experienced exorcist.
Seems like we have a troll browsing through the pages. I'll bet I can guess who, too.
I'll go Saint or goblin...as long as someone hands me a Snickers bar or two.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Although it may go against the charter for the protection of the young, my parochial vicar and I are giving out snickers, mounds, baby ruths and reese's peanut butter cups among other goodies, and to ever and whomever and however anyone is dressed.
Survivor - Were you, or anyone you know, ever turned into a newt? Or did you blame that on breaking a mirror, stepping on a crack, or walking under a ladder?
The demonic exists. Witches who control the material world by casting spells and mixing potions are figments of imagination.
Ask Hillary she would know if witches exist
Mark Thomas is EXACTLY right!
I think in some circles this has become an anti-Christian day. It is enthusiastically embraced by groups that have a gripe against Christianity. Are you aware of any of the older Italian traditions related to this day , or three days?
Hey, it's Halloween...fun time for kids and adults with kids. It isn't dabbling in the occult...for that you need to check out the Masons and the Shriners or, as Kavanaugh says, the bills in your wallet...maybe the Pentecostals or the NFL.
Dress up like one of the martyred saints. Cover all the bases.
I think reviving the tradition of children dressing as saints is an admirable one. I think the emphasis of the three days should also increase among Catholics.
Anonymous,
You are attempting to frame the argument by insisting on this "turn you into a newt" nonsense. That's about as crass as asking a man when he stopped beating his wife.
Witchcraft exists. Occult practices exist. Satanic worship exists. OBVIOUSLY the sick people who practice such things cannot turn humans into animals (why you would insist on such a puerile example is beyond me). However, they do attempt (and sometimes succeed) in placing curses on people, or calling upon evil spirits to add afflictions to other peoples' lives. The best protection we have is to remain in a state of grace, but to discount the harmful effects of such practices demonstrates a smug foolishness.
Like I said before, I would like to hear what an experienced exorcist would have to say on that topic. I've known two in my lifetime and they both spent a good bit of time helping people break curses that were placed upon them. But then again, I suppose it's useless to try to argue with someone who knows everything.
The "newt" question is a reference to the scene from Monty Python's "Search for the Holy Grail"
Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch?
Peasant 3: Well, she turned me into a newt!
Sir Bedevere: A newt?
Peasant 3: [meekly after a long pause] ... I got better.
Crowd (Omnes): [shouts] Burn her anyway!
The scene calls into question the "She's a witch" claim made by the peasants in their hysteria.
I don't claim to know everything. As I have stated, demonic powers certainly exist. But I do know that we are not "dabbling in the occult" when we dress in ghoulish costumes on Halloween. See Fr. McDonald's original post.
"Double, double, toil and trouble..."
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