HALLOWEEN parties may be one of the reasons why young Filipinos have forgotten to celebrate All Saints' and All Souls' Day.

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the youth often forget to pray for the saints and the dead during the occasions because of Halloween festivities.

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"Sometimes they are already tired from attending a Halloween party the whole day that come November 1 and 2, the days when they are supposed to be praying, they are at home resting or sleeping," he said over Church-run Radio Veritas 846.

But the Jaro, Iloilo prelate is hoping that the youth would realize the true meaning of the events.

"I hope they won't forget the real intention behind the observance and that is to pray for the saints and the dead," he said.

The CBCP official issued the reminder as Filipinos start flocking to different cemeteries to visit their departed loved ones in observance of All Saints and All Souls Day.

Lagdameo said it's the obligation of every Catholic faithful to pray for the dead saying a time will come that they'll be the ones who will be in need of prayer.

"Time will come that it is going to be us who will be prayed for by the living," he said.

On the other hand, the CBCP head urged the elderly and sick, who wish to visit the tombs of their departed loveones to just stay home and pray.

"Those who are weak and sick should just stay at home and pray. But those who are still capable should go to the cemetery and pray," Lagdameo added.

It's been a tradition of all Filipinos to visit the cemeteries and pray for the departed on November 1. (FP/Sunnex)