Many Catholics ask, “Is it okay to celebrate Halloween?”
With the current culture’s perception of this holiday, one can easily to think that it might be sinful or be an invitation for the demonic.
But according to exorcist Fr. Vincent Lampert, it’s actually the way in which it’s celebrated that can be an invitation for evil.
First though, let’s look at a few facts about Halloween and where it originated. The photo below is a great explanation!
Halloween’s History & Traditions
What an Exorcist Says About Halloween & Its Potential Dangers
In an article published on Catholic Online, Fr. Vincent Lampert, an exorcist in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, explained that parents should be mindful of the “Christian origins of the holiday,” and stay away from glorifying evil.
Fr. Lampert said that he doesn’t see anything wrong with kids dressing up in innocent costumes, such as a cowboy or Cinderella, and asking for candy. He said, “That’s all good, clean fun.”
He added that it is also fine to dress as a ghost with a sheet and some holes cut into it.
The article then explains that there’s danger in costumes that “deliberately glorify evil and instill fear in people”
Additionally, even if it’s “just for fun,” it is dangerous.
Fr. Lampert then references Deuteronomy 18, explaining that “it talks about not trying to consult the spirits of the dead, not consulting those who dabble in magic and witchcraft and the like…”
Why? He says it’s “because it’s a violation of a church commandment that people are putting other things ahead of their relationship with God.”
“And that would be the danger of Halloween that somehow God is lost in all of this, the religious connotation is lost and then people end up glorifying evil.”
Evil Spirits Do Not Have More Authority on Halloween
Fr. Lampert also said that “the devil and evil spirits do not have any additional authority on Halloween.” He said it is what people do that invites the devil in.
“Perhaps by the way they’re celebrating that day, they’re actually inviting more evil into their lives.”
While evil is often glorified on Halloween, Fr. Lampert suggested that parents use this time as a “teachable moment.”
“We’re not really sitting around and talking about why certain practices are not conducive with our Catholic faith and our Catholic identity.
“I think using it as a teachable moment would be a great thing to do.”
[See also: Babe Ruth’s Amazing Conversion Story & The Little-Known Sacramental He Took to His Grave]
[See also: Why Christians Should Love Halloween]