Make Halloween Holy Again: 5 Tricks and Tips to Celebrate, Catechize and Evangelize!

We almost left the store with no costume for my 11-year-old son.

He wanted something that came across a little too bloody, too evil, and my mom instinct said, “No, pick something else.”

And he said he didn’t want anything else.

I had to hold my ground.

As we finally started towards the check out, we spotted a Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man costume that seemed to amuse the both of us.

Thankfully, we left with a costume we both agreed upon and no one was pouting.

Honestly, I never really liked Halloween that much.

Sure, free candy and lots of it – that was nice. But I always wanted to dress up as something pretty – I wasn’t into the creative costumes other thought of or the popular scary choices.

But as an adult, I really enjoy it.

I don’t have to dress up. I love seeing the creativity of the kids who knock on my door saying “trick or treat” very softly and often timidly.

And that change in my attitude came before I was a mom.

Now, my kids make it fun and unlike her mother, my daughter LOVES Halloween.

What I really enjoy most about this holiday is that it has become a tradition that my siblings bring their children to our house and all of us go trick or treating together. My parents come over and get to see all of their grandchildren in their costumes.

And I . . . I get the opportunity to share the real meaning of Halloween.

As I grow older … and our world and culture seems to be changing rather drastically . . . I see the demonic trend and evil swing that Halloween has taken in some circles.

That walk through the Halloween store last year made it hard to avoid seeing.

But great news, we don’t need to “cancel” Halloween. It’s an incredible opportunity to teach, share and celebrate our faith. Halloween invites us to celebrate the Saints and Pray for all souls. Here are some ways you can celebrate Halloween and not sacrifice your soul.

Whether you are going to several TRUNK OR TREATS; staying at home and giving out candy, hosting a Halloween party or just want to add some holy to your treats, here are some great ideas to get you enjoying the fun on Halloween this year!

Tip #1: Skip the Halloween Store when shopping for costumes

So, my first tip – don’t shop at those stores. If you are a mom, ask your kids what they want to be without taking them to see the mask of the guy that had an ax inserted in his head with all the fake blood you could imagine.

Shop on Amazon for the costume they thought of – and that you approve of (here’s my link, thanks for supporting this blog!)

Don’t want to shop from Amazon? You might not have to! There are second-hand stores that have Halloween costumes at a fraction of the cost – go check them out! Or, maybe you could make your own! I know many of you do this already – but in my house, that’s my husband’s department.

There are plenty of fun, harmless costumes that don’t invite thoughts of murder or the demonic. Let’s embrace those and ask God to help you stay firm as your kids get older (that was an answered prayer last year)!!!

Tip #2: Have fun with Catholic Home Decor!

Here is what I have loved embracing in recent years. Partly because it gives me the opportunity to decorate for All Saints’ Day knowing my family is coming over; partly because my seven year old daughter has voiced concerns over my lack of decorating for her favorite holiday.

One year I bought a Saint Table Cloth off Etsy. Last year I embraced the skull theme with Momento Mori stickers scattered throughout my home.

Check out this piece from Ginny & Sage Catholic Designs!

This year I have my eye on these art prints and a Pax Rosa candle!

I love that in our faith, there are actually 3 days together that make Hallowtide, so you can decorate with both All Saints Day and All Souls Day in mind.

Tip #3: Consider sharing some Holy Catholic Treats

Take advantage of the fact that skulls are both holy and cool.

There are a ton of Memento Mori stickers that are visually appealing and fun!

Here are a few Momento Mori stickers I have come across!

Pelican Catholic Gifts

Sweet Little Ones

Baritus Catholic

With a Joyful Heart

This is an incredible opportunity to evangelize!

Retro Catholic Art created the perfect holy cards you can add to treat bags – I’m thinking about giving these to my nieces and nephews this year!

These holy cards would be great additions to snack bags distributed at school Halloween parties and Trunk or Treats! You never know what good fruit may come from a little historical lesson!

Tip #4: Trade in Your “I’m here for the BOOS” shirt for a Catholic Sweatshirt or Tee

Okay, I admit it. I had a black shirt with a ghost holding a glass of red wine that said, “I’m here for the Boos” not so long ago. It was my go to Halloween shirt.

But this year, I am trying to decide on this sweatshirt from the Cozy Catholic wife or this tee from Nichole Lanthier Art. Which one do you like?

Not into skulls or want a sweatshirt you can wear all season long??? Oh I’ve got the perfect solution!

Prayer Wine Chocolate shirts are available as sweatshirts,

“hoodies”

Raglan 3 quarter sleeves

and

T-shirts!

Prayer Wine Chocolate shirts are awesome. You’ll make total strangers smile and you’ll support this blog and ministry!!!

Tip #5: Bring the Catholic Halloween Spirit Outside and Beyond the one day

One of my favorite things about Halloween is the outside fire pit, my beverage, and giving out candy to all the trick or treaters.

Where I live, it can get chilly on Halloween . . . so I love the creative genius of Worthy of Agape owner, who has Momento Mori blankets! Keep these blankets in mind when you want to get your Godson a religious gift, but still want to look cool while doing it

Do you like giving out candy while sipping on an adult beverage? If yes, I have a wine tumbler for that! One in purple and the other in pink! I am amazed at how often these tumblers come in handy! Grab yours today!!!

Got a teenage son or daughter? Whether or not they are going to a Halloween party or helping hand out candy at home; give them these little Catholic treats!

Memento Mori Retro Motel Key Chain
Key chains are great gifts for older kids – even if they don’t have their license yet!

Hosting a Halloween party for older kids? These key chains are the perfect party favor!

Momento Mori Rearview Mirror Charm from Sketch and Sentiment

Teens and young adults can celebrate the spiritual side of Halloween with Sketch & Sentiment’s Memento Mori Catholic Halloween Charm.

Encourage them to hang it from the rearview mirror to remind herself daily of the certainty of death, that life is fleeting, and should be lived in a way that will get you to Heaven! Bonus – the macrame knots are cleverly designed in a group of 10 so that our car charms can act as a decade rosary!

Does Halloween stress you out? Grab these essential oil earrings and be calm the whole day!

Bonus tip: Make it a priority to go Mass for All Saints Day!

Pray for ALL SOULS! Those who have passed on into eternal life and those who are still living with us!

Halloween does not have to be overtaken by those who are indifferent to the reality of spiritual warfare or to those who are fans of the occult. We can embrace this holiday with boundaries and intention.

We can show our children that being holy doesn’t mean being boring.

Let’s do this!

What would you add?

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Pray to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

I still remember sitting at the dinner table as a child and my dad standing up holding a holy card.

He announced, “we are going to pray this prayer”.

And after we prayed our normal “Grace Before Meals” prayer, he read the words on the card that also had a picture of Jesus and His Most Sacred Heart:

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,

I ask you to bless this house and all of us who live in it.

Help us to live in peace and happiness.

May your love enable us to strengthen and support each other, in every need, so that together we may grow in Your love and our love for each other.

Amen.

From that day on, each night before dinner, we prayed Grace Before Meals and that Most Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer.

Soon, we all had it memorized.

A Prayer for Young Families and Empty Nesters

As my parents children started to leave the nest, they changed the wording a little bit. We prayed that prayer every night we sat down at the dinner table together, but as some of us moved out of the house, my parents continued to pray for all of us – including those who no longer lived in that house.

I’m not exactly sure their exact wording now, but I can share with you how my husband, myself and our children pray it:

Since I think of my parents and siblings as we pray it – we changed “this house and all of us who live in it” to “our family, wherever they may be”.

So whether you are a young family or an empty nester – single or married – you can pray this prayer!

When my husband and I sit down with our 3 children to eat our final meal of the day, we pray Grace Before Meals, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer and the Spiritual Adoption Prayer.

You can have all these prayers to print out – click here!

A Simple Devotion that Brings Abundant Blessings

As I look back on my childhood, I can see that the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was very much an important devotion in our home.

It was subtle, but it was there.

There was picture hanging up in our dining room of Jesus and His Most Sacred Heart.

And in addition to the art hanging in our dining room and the prayer we prayed each night, I found a picture that my parents took when I was about 10 years old.

It’s my mom, my brother, sister and me – all standing in front of a statue of Jesus that displayed His Most Sacred Heart.

A Prayer to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus that Children Can Understand

My brother and sisters had the prayer memorized fairly quickly. It only takes about 20 seconds to recite, and by simply praying it every evening, it allowed us to remember the words and pray as a family.

The prayer had such a profound impact on me, that I made sure it was included in the book: Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Boys.

Part 3 of the Boy’s Be Yourself Journal is titled: Who Does God Want You to Be?

In that part, the reader is encouraged to be a peacemaker, a spiritual warrior, a “fisher of men”, a good friend and a Saint.

In the section that explores being a peacemaker, the journal encourages the reader to really think about bringing peace into his family. There are practical ways discussed on how to do this, and this prayer is given on it’s own page so that the reader can color or simply just read it.

Since it was my father who introduced the prayer to our family, I thought it would be a perfect prayer for a young man who is beginning to dream about – and make a plan for – the man he will one day become.

(Want this book? Get it here!!)

The gifts of Peace, Strength and Protection for your family

I’m not sure if my dad had ever heard of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque- but I know growing up he attended Catholic School in Philadelphia. One practice these schools had in place from his childhood to mine was to bring the students to Mass each first Friday.

According to Saint Margaret Mary, Jesus offers 12 promises to those who respond to the pleading of His Heart and make an effort to return His love.

The 12th promise is often familiar with anyone who went to Catholic School – from Baby Boomers to Gen X – in the Philadelphia region. That promise was explained to the students for the reason behind the First Friday Mass practice.

(12)” I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.” You can see all the promises on EWTN’s website.

But I’m not sure any of the other promises are quite as well known.

The second promise concerns peace inside the home.

“Establish your dwelling in the amiable Heart of Jesus, and you will find unalterable peace, strength to carry out all your good desires, and protection agains voluntary faults.” – Saint Margaret Mary

Our family life was not perfect. I have plenty of memories that are not warm and fuzzy. But I will tell you this: my parents and 4 siblings are getting together this weekend for my niece’s birthday. We love getting together. Perhaps this subtle devotion to the source of absolute eternal true love, has allowed us to enjoy one another into adulthood.

I want you to have this for your family too.

If you would like a Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer Coloring Page, one is included in the Catholic Coloring Pages available here: Coloring Pages from the Be Yourself Journal (20 in all)

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