All Saints Day versus "Halloween"
Oh now, here we go! Nick is off on one of his Catholic bandwagons yet again!
I have been thinking of doing a blog on this delicate, controversial and interesting subject for some considerable time.
Every year I see the same issue arising and it appears to be getting worse by the year, due to the new Paganism, with countless people completely oblivious to All Saints Day and yet obsessed with Halloween.
Whats been stopping me? well that is a very interesting question.
I think its because some persons might be offended, as I think the underlying issue / subject is actually profoundly important and what I might say, the Secularists / New Pagans might find objectionable and as you know, they dont like to hear the truth or have to think about history at all.
Oh shock horror, that anything I might publish might upset the pink candy-floss world of the bland, politically correct "right on" secularists / historically ignorant, "New Pagans" as I like to refer to them as.
The New Pagans will get a blog about them from me coming very soon!
Im looking forward to eventually reading that particular one myself.
Well, no such sentiments of concern about offending the Pagans has ever stopped me before, so I will now communicate my considered Roman Catholic Christian, but very personal opinion on the whole subject of "Halloween"
Every year its the same old crap around this time (October), the shops are bursting with skeletons, ghosts, spiders webs, miniature coffins,vampires teeth and various other trashy paraphenalia to do with "Halloween" some of it is great craic.
Its a bit of fun, its for the kids, its "harmless" and its good to have a bit of fun and craic occassionally, especially at this dark dreary time of year.
Yes Yes and Yes, to all the above, except that it certainly is not "harmless" and that is the subject I want to discuss.
The emphasis on Halloween, reflects a society obsessed with the dark side of life, with negativity, with all things evil and with the Occult.
The night of "Halloween" has been deliberately marketed to exclude any reference to the Feast of All Saints, which in fact it gets its name from.
In fact all references to Halloween being the "evening before All Hallows" has been systematically airbrushed out of current Irish culture.
Its now all about Ghosts, Devils, Horror and Death.
Ireland which is currently in the grip of a rabid anti-Church sentiment, (understandably) following on from the appalling child sex abuse scandals of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
The problem with this, is that some people have actually now abandoned their Roman Catholic faith completely, are ignorant / completely un-catechised about the basic beliefs / doctrines of Roman Catholicism and certainly are not actively involved in passing on the Roman Catholic faith to the next generation.
In fact there is a large part of the "Catholic" population that has not been properly catechised by the Church at all full stop.
Many "Catholics" are totally ignorant of basic Roman Catholic beliefs.
Its very very sad for them and for the Church.
Many "Catholics" do not know the basic fundamentals of the Roman Catholic faith in regards Apostolic Succession, Papal primacy, The Apostles Creed, the Holy Gospels, The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrificial nature of the Holy Mass, the Sacraments of the Church, Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints, praying the Rosary and I could go on ad infinitum etc etc.
(note the use of Latin)
An Altar
The emphasis on Halloween, reflects a society obsessed with the dark side of life, with negativity, with all things evil and with the Occult.
The night of "Halloween" has been deliberately marketed to exclude any reference to the Feast of All Saints, which in fact it gets its name from.
In fact all references to Halloween being the "evening before All Hallows" has been systematically airbrushed out of current Irish culture.
Its now all about Ghosts, Devils, Horror and Death.
Ireland which is currently in the grip of a rabid anti-Church sentiment, (understandably) following on from the appalling child sex abuse scandals of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
The problem with this, is that some people have actually now abandoned their Roman Catholic faith completely, are ignorant / completely un-catechised about the basic beliefs / doctrines of Roman Catholicism and certainly are not actively involved in passing on the Roman Catholic faith to the next generation.
In fact there is a large part of the "Catholic" population that has not been properly catechised by the Church at all full stop.
Many "Catholics" are totally ignorant of basic Roman Catholic beliefs.
Its very very sad for them and for the Church.
Many "Catholics" do not know the basic fundamentals of the Roman Catholic faith in regards Apostolic Succession, Papal primacy, The Apostles Creed, the Holy Gospels, The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrificial nature of the Holy Mass, the Sacraments of the Church, Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints, praying the Rosary and I could go on ad infinitum etc etc.
(note the use of Latin)
A Monstrance for exposing the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration
The problem is that Ireland has now openly embraced the USA Trick or Treat culture with its emphasis on intimidation of householders into delivering sweets "Treats"or suffering the consequences of enduring a "Trick".
The consequences of not giving a treat is unspoken.
This attitude is far from the message of Christ of Love, Mercy, Forgiveness and Almsgiving to all human beings in need.
The USA Trick or Treat commercialism of Halloween is now so widespread in Ireland, that so called "Catholic" schools (That particular description deserves a blog all of its own, for "Catholic school" read bland, airy fairy, dumbed down version of Catholicism where no living Roman Catholic faith is taught or passed on) and parents of "Catholic" children, are now openly promoting Halloween as a party night with absolutely no understanding of its link / relationship to the Occult and its denigration of the Feast of All Saints on November 1st.
The problem is that Ireland has now openly embraced the USA Trick or Treat culture with its emphasis on intimidation of householders into delivering sweets "Treats"or suffering the consequences of enduring a "Trick".
The consequences of not giving a treat is unspoken.
This attitude is far from the message of Christ of Love, Mercy, Forgiveness and Almsgiving to all human beings in need.
The USA Trick or Treat commercialism of Halloween is now so widespread in Ireland, that so called "Catholic" schools (That particular description deserves a blog all of its own, for "Catholic school" read bland, airy fairy, dumbed down version of Catholicism where no living Roman Catholic faith is taught or passed on) and parents of "Catholic" children, are now openly promoting Halloween as a party night with absolutely no understanding of its link / relationship to the Occult and its denigration of the Feast of All Saints on November 1st.
A group of Saints
The ancient Feast of All Hallows (All Saints) on the 1st of November, is a Holyday of Obligation for Roman Catholics requiring them to attend Holy Mass on this very important Feastday.
Halloween derives its name from "All Hallows Een" (Halloween) the evening before All Hallows.
All Saints was probably deliberately placed where it is in the Churches year, to overcome / inculturate the Pagan, Celtic rites associated with Samhain (Sowen)
Samhain was an ancient Gaelic Celtic feast associated with the Harvest and the passage into Winter of the land.
Many of the "New Pagans" are attempting to associate Samhain with white witchcraft, druidism, herbal magic / remedies and a pre-Christian era of peace, love and luvy duvvy Oirishness, before the big bad Roman Catholic Church and its Missionaries in the form of St Patrick arrived to break up the fun.
Oh please spare me that unhistorical crap!
There is even a festival now in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim (organised by some New Pagans I suppose) for children, which explicitly advertises and directly links "Samhain" with "Halloween" and blatantly ignores the Feast of All Saints.
What is even more mindblowing is that local "Catholic" schools have bought into the idea and are organising children to attend! what on earth are the "Catholic" Principals / teachers thinking of?
Samhain and Halloween combined with no mention of ALL SAINTS DAY. I rest my case.
The ancient Feast of All Hallows (All Saints) on the 1st of November, is a Holyday of Obligation for Roman Catholics requiring them to attend Holy Mass on this very important Feastday.
Halloween derives its name from "All Hallows Een" (Halloween) the evening before All Hallows.
All Saints was probably deliberately placed where it is in the Churches year, to overcome / inculturate the Pagan, Celtic rites associated with Samhain (Sowen)
Samhain was an ancient Gaelic Celtic feast associated with the Harvest and the passage into Winter of the land.
Many of the "New Pagans" are attempting to associate Samhain with white witchcraft, druidism, herbal magic / remedies and a pre-Christian era of peace, love and luvy duvvy Oirishness, before the big bad Roman Catholic Church and its Missionaries in the form of St Patrick arrived to break up the fun.
Oh please spare me that unhistorical crap!
There is even a festival now in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim (organised by some New Pagans I suppose) for children, which explicitly advertises and directly links "Samhain" with "Halloween" and blatantly ignores the Feast of All Saints.
What is even more mindblowing is that local "Catholic" schools have bought into the idea and are organising children to attend! what on earth are the "Catholic" Principals / teachers thinking of?
Samhain and Halloween combined with no mention of ALL SAINTS DAY. I rest my case.
Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, Enlightener of Ireland.
Ireland in pre-Christian times was a hellish, brutal, tribal society with survival of the fittest being the operative word.
An Irish Barbarian / Pagan.
It was ruled over by Barbarian clan leaders, "the local Thug" and their incestuous family members, who exploited, raped and killed the neighbours and who spent most of their spare time raiding the Roman Christianised parts of Wales, Scotland and England to carry off loot and young hostages to use as slaves.(the old would be killed and for old read over 30.)
(Here I recommend reading the life of St Patrick who arrived as a young slave following one of these raiding parties in 4th Century A.D.)
An Irish Monk, creating the Book of Kells.
It was ruled over by Barbarian clan leaders, "the local Thug" and their incestuous family members, who exploited, raped and killed the neighbours and who spent most of their spare time raiding the Roman Christianised parts of Wales, Scotland and England to carry off loot and young hostages to use as slaves.(the old would be killed and for old read over 30.)
(Here I recommend reading the life of St Patrick who arrived as a young slave following one of these raiding parties in 4th Century A.D.)
St Patrick and other Catholic Christian Missionaries (St Columba, St Finbarr etc) are responsible for:
1. Putting manners on multiple murderers.
2.Ending Human Sacrifices to the Celtic Gods.
3.Stopping never ending violent tribal wars and bloodshed.
4. Stopping the practice of raiding for slaves.
5.Stopping the organised starving to death of women who couldnt conceive.
6. Converting the Barbarian leaders to Christ and His Holy Gospel.
7. Founding Monasteries as centres of learning and a none violent culture.
Therefore changing the lives of Millions of Irish and British people down the centuries for the better.
Saint Patrick Apostle of Ireland.
(note this is not an actual photograph of St Patrick!)
The Feast of All Saints is a celebration of the triumph of Christ over sin, death and the Evil One.
St Patrick and other Catholic Christian Missionaries (St Columba, St Finbarr etc) are responsible for:
1. Putting manners on multiple murderers.
2.Ending Human Sacrifices to the Celtic Gods.
3.Stopping never ending violent tribal wars and bloodshed.
4. Stopping the practice of raiding for slaves.
5.Stopping the organised starving to death of women who couldnt conceive.
6. Converting the Barbarian leaders to Christ and His Holy Gospel.
7. Founding Monasteries as centres of learning and a none violent culture.
Therefore changing the lives of Millions of Irish and British people down the centuries for the better.
The Saints are the fruits of the triumph of Jesus Christ over Sin, Death and Evil.
The Evil One, Satan and the evil spirits who exist with him, have ultimately been conquered by Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer.
The Saints, who are living examples of Grace working in the lives of ordinary Human Beings, are now triumphant in heaven and more importantly, they are our friends and companions on the journey of life.
Through the "Communion of Saints" which we profess in the Apostles Creed, we are all connected, irrespective of our place in time and history.
The Saints are fully alive and willing us on, to do what is right and to join them in heaven, adoring God our Creator.
They can help us in this life through their prayers / intercession to God in heaven whose presence they are in night and day.
All of us now alive are going to die. This is a fact that many want to deny or ignore.
The new Pagans live as though there is no afterlife and all that matters is how they feel and what they want, they judge others according to their social status and how much money they have.
The Pagans live as though there is no God and no Satan. They are fools.
Really what is so empty and destructive about the New Paganism is that its all an empty illusion and all about ME ME ME!!
These sentiments are in direct opposition to the Good News of Jesus Christ and the virtues expected of Roman Catholics and any person calling themselves Christian.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The Saints are the fruits of the triumph of Jesus Christ over Sin, Death and Evil.
The Evil One, Satan and the evil spirits who exist with him, have ultimately been conquered by Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer.
The Saints, who are living examples of Grace working in the lives of ordinary Human Beings, are now triumphant in heaven and more importantly, they are our friends and companions on the journey of life.
Through the "Communion of Saints" which we profess in the Apostles Creed, we are all connected, irrespective of our place in time and history.
The Saints are fully alive and willing us on, to do what is right and to join them in heaven, adoring God our Creator.
They can help us in this life through their prayers / intercession to God in heaven whose presence they are in night and day.
All of us now alive are going to die. This is a fact that many want to deny or ignore.
The new Pagans live as though there is no afterlife and all that matters is how they feel and what they want, they judge others according to their social status and how much money they have.
The Pagans live as though there is no God and no Satan. They are fools.
Really what is so empty and destructive about the New Paganism is that its all an empty illusion and all about ME ME ME!!
These sentiments are in direct opposition to the Good News of Jesus Christ and the virtues expected of Roman Catholics and any person calling themselves Christian.
All of us are called and are indeed capable of attaining Sainthood, believe it or not.
In fact, it is part of our faith in Jesus Christ that He has the power to give us Grace and ability to overcome everything.
Christ has conquered all evil. I will repeat that last statement as it has very important consequences,
Christ HAS conquered all evil.
All of us are called and are indeed capable of attaining Sainthood, believe it or not.
In fact, it is part of our faith in Jesus Christ that He has the power to give us Grace and ability to overcome everything.
Christ has conquered all evil. I will repeat that last statement as it has very important consequences,
Christ HAS conquered all evil.
A group of Saints
The Saints are Christian human beings who have displayed heroic virtue in this world. They are living witnesses to the power of a living Resurrected Lord who has worked wonders in their lives, conquered evil and who has overcome death itself.
Many Saints (most) are completely unknown, they are ordinary followers of Jesus Christ who lived a Christian life during their brief time here on earth.
The "Canonised Saints", are held up by Holy Church after rigorous investigations into their lives and after at least 2 miracles have been properly investigated and recorded in response to praying to them.
They are proposed to the Holy Father, the Pope, by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints located in the Vatican.
Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Successor of the Apostle Peter
This follows only after extensive local investigations into the life of the person by the local Bishop and the committee of experts Medical, Legal, Theological and others, that is formed to look into the life of the person proposed for Canonisation.
If after investigation, the person, is deemed to have lead an exemplary life of Heroic Virtue, they are granted the title "Servant of God".
The "Servant of God" Adele Garnier.
The Saints are Christian human beings who have displayed heroic virtue in this world. They are living witnesses to the power of a living Resurrected Lord who has worked wonders in their lives, conquered evil and who has overcome death itself.
Many Saints (most) are completely unknown, they are ordinary followers of Jesus Christ who lived a Christian life during their brief time here on earth.
The "Canonised Saints", are held up by Holy Church after rigorous investigations into their lives and after at least 2 miracles have been properly investigated and recorded in response to praying to them.
They are proposed to the Holy Father, the Pope, by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints located in the Vatican.
Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Successor of the Apostle Peter
This follows only after extensive local investigations into the life of the person by the local Bishop and the committee of experts Medical, Legal, Theological and others, that is formed to look into the life of the person proposed for Canonisation.
If after investigation, the person, is deemed to have lead an exemplary life of Heroic Virtue, they are granted the title "Servant of God".
Foundress of the Benedictine Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
Convents in London, Rome, Cobh County Cork, Paris, Lisbon, Tokyo, Manila and throughout the world.
If following 2 confirmed cases of actual miracles being wrought in response to their prayers / intercession with God, they may be "Beatified" by the Pope. This usually takes place at a formal Mass of Beatification in St Peters Basilica, Rome, presided over by the Pope.
They are then granted the title of "Blessed"
Blessed Dominic Barberi, Passionist Priest,
If following 2 confirmed cases of actual miracles being wrought in response to their prayers / intercession with God, they may be "Beatified" by the Pope. This usually takes place at a formal Mass of Beatification in St Peters Basilica, Rome, presided over by the Pope.
They are then granted the title of "Blessed"
Apostle of England.
Received John Henry Newman, leading Anglican Theologian into the Catholic Church as well as multiple other Anglican converts.
Following 2 further confirmed miracles in response to their prayers / intercession, they can then be "Canonised" they are then granted the title of "Saint"
A formal Mass of Canonisation then takes place, usually in Rome presided over by the Pope as Bishop of Rome with several hundred Bishops present representing the whole Church. At this Mass, Relics of the particular Saint, are venerated and placed on the Altar.
Canonisation Mass at St Peters Basilica Rome.
Prayers and Masses in honour of the new Saint are then authorised and permitted for the whole Church.
These shining stars in the firmament of heaven, are granted their own Feast Day with special prayers and a special Mass in their honour.
Saint John Paul II
Following 2 further confirmed miracles in response to their prayers / intercession, they can then be "Canonised" they are then granted the title of "Saint"
A formal Mass of Canonisation then takes place, usually in Rome presided over by the Pope as Bishop of Rome with several hundred Bishops present representing the whole Church. At this Mass, Relics of the particular Saint, are venerated and placed on the Altar.
Canonisation Mass at St Peters Basilica Rome.
Prayers and Masses in honour of the new Saint are then authorised and permitted for the whole Church.
These shining stars in the firmament of heaven, are granted their own Feast Day with special prayers and a special Mass in their honour.
Responsible for collapse of Communism, Promoter of a New Evangelisation, Defender of the Unborn, Apostle of the Culture of Life, Pastor, Bishop and Pope.
The Saints are our own brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, they are from every time period in history and from every Nation.
Some Saints are Martyrs who have given their lives for their belief in Jesus Christ and His Holy Church.
Saint Stephen (first Martyr) Saint Peter (Apostle) Saint Clement of Rome, Saint Agatha, Saint Lucy, Saint Cosmos, Saint Damian, Saint Cecelia, Saint Felicity, Saint Lawrence are all Martyrs of the Church in the first century after Christ.
Saints Cosmos and Damien, Martyrs.
Countless unknown Martyrs gave their lives for Christ rather than deny Him in the terrible persecutions of the Church under the Roman Emperors Nero and Diocletian between 40 and 350 A.D.
Martyrdoms are still occurring every year, think of the Missionaries of Charity Nuns, (Mother Teresas nuns) who were butchered by Islamic terrorists in Yemen in 2016.
The Saints are our own brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, they are from every time period in history and from every Nation.
Some Saints are Martyrs who have given their lives for their belief in Jesus Christ and His Holy Church.
Saint Stephen (first Martyr) Saint Peter (Apostle) Saint Clement of Rome, Saint Agatha, Saint Lucy, Saint Cosmos, Saint Damian, Saint Cecelia, Saint Felicity, Saint Lawrence are all Martyrs of the Church in the first century after Christ.
Saints Cosmos and Damien, Martyrs.
Countless unknown Martyrs gave their lives for Christ rather than deny Him in the terrible persecutions of the Church under the Roman Emperors Nero and Diocletian between 40 and 350 A.D.
Martyrdoms are still occurring every year, think of the Missionaries of Charity Nuns, (Mother Teresas nuns) who were butchered by Islamic terrorists in Yemen in 2016.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Foundress of the Missionaries of Charity, Convents, Hospitals and Hostels of Mercy throughout the world.
They were running a Charity Hospital for poor Muslims, but because they were Christian ( and ISIS with its Satanic hatred of Christians) The ISIS barbarians entered the Hospital, and killed many of the Sisters in front of the patients.
These Nuns died for Christ, like Lambs to the slaughter and are truly Martyrs (Saints) in the real sense of the word.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan Priest who was interred in Auschwitz during World War II and who offered to die in place of a Jewish man who had children. He was eventually gassed to death and burnt in the ovens with his Jewish friends.
A modern Martyr Saint.
Saint Edith Stein, a Jewish Professor who converted to Catholicism and became a Carmelite Nun. She was Martyred in Auschwitz 1942 due to her Jewish ancestry by the Nazi regime. a modern Martyr Saint.
Saint Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, arrested and tried for Treason by the English on trumped up charges due to his Catholic Faith. Irish paid perjurors testified against him.
The last Catholic Martyr to die for the Catholic faith at Tyburn, London.
Hung, Drawn and Quartered, 1681.
(Hung for a few moments, cut down while still alive, stripped naked, castrated and his bowels ripped out and burnt in front of him, head hacked off eventually and his body then chopped into four quarters-charming!)
A Martyr Saint.
May all the Saints of Heaven intercede for us here on earth and may we all honour our brothers and sisters who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith and especially on their Feast Day of ALL SAINTS. November 1st each year.
They were running a Charity Hospital for poor Muslims, but because they were Christian ( and ISIS with its Satanic hatred of Christians) The ISIS barbarians entered the Hospital, and killed many of the Sisters in front of the patients.
These Nuns died for Christ, like Lambs to the slaughter and are truly Martyrs (Saints) in the real sense of the word.
May all the Saints of Heaven intercede for us here on earth and may we all honour our brothers and sisters who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith and especially on their Feast Day of ALL SAINTS. November 1st each year.
