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All Hallows’ Eve: Facing the Darkness with Faith
On 31 October, the world celebrates Halloween with costumes, pumpkins, and playful frights. Yet beneath the surface of this secular festivity lies a deeply Christian tradition: All Hallows’ Eve, the vigil before the Feast of All Saints. Historically, this was a time to confront the reality of death, evil, and the unknown—not with fear, but with faith.
St John Chrysostom, the great 4th-century preacher, reminds us: “Let us not fear death, but rather despise it; for it is not death that is terrible, but sin.” In his sermons, Chrysostom often spoke of the Christian’s courage in the face of death. He saw death not as an end, but as a passage—a doorway to life eternal. On All Hallows’ Eve, we are invited to remember that Christ has conquered death. The darkness may seem overwhelming, but it is never the final word.
This is a night to light candles, to pray for protection, and to remember that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. The saints, martyrs, and faithful departed stand with us, reminding us that the light of Christ shines even in the darkest places.
All Saints’ Day: Celebrating the Holy Ones
On 1 November, the Church celebrates All Saints’ Day—a feast of joy and triumph. We honour not only the canonised saints of history, but also the countless unnamed souls who lived lives of quiet holiness. These are the teachers, parents, neighbours, and friends who bore witness to Christ in their daily lives.
St John Chrysostom once said: “The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.” He believed that holiness was not reserved for the few but was the calling of all Christians. In his homilies, he urged believers to imitate the saints—not in their miracles, but in their virtues: humility, charity, patience, and courage.
This feast reminds us that sainthood is not about perfection, but about perseverance. It is about saying “yes” to God, again, even when the path is difficult. In our own parish, we may know people who embody this quiet sanctity—those who serve without recognition, who pray faithfully, who love generously. Let us celebrate them. Let us be inspired by them. And let us remember that we, too, are called to be saints.
All Souls’ Day: Praying for the Departed
On 2 November, we turn our hearts to those who have gone before us. All Souls’ Day is a solemn and tender day, dedicated to prayer for the faithful departed. We light candles, offer Masses, and speak the names of loved ones who now rest in God’s care.
St John Chrysostom taught that our prayers for the dead are not in vain. He wrote: “Not in vain do we help them, not in vain do we pray for them, not in vain do we give alms. All this has been ordained by the Spirit.” He believed that the bond of love between the living and the dead is not broken by death. Through prayer, we remain connected. Through the Eucharist, we are united. And through Christ, we share in the hope of resurrection.
This day is not only about mourning—it is about hope. It is about trusting that God’s mercy is greater than our sin, and that eternal life is promised to all who seek Him. As we remember our loved ones, let us also renew our own faith in the life to come.
A Season of Light and Love
Together, these three days form a sacred season—All Hallows’ Tide—that invites us to look beyond the veil. We are reminded that life is fleeting, but love endures. That death is real, but Christ is risen. That holiness is possible, even in the ordinary.
St John Chrysostom’s teachings echo through the centuries, urging us to live with courage, to die with hope, and to love without measure. He once said: “The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.” This week, let us enter that school once more. Let us learn from the saints, pray for the souls, and face the darkness with the light of Christ.
