CATHOLIC Online defines All Saints' Day "as a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven."
In the Philippines, this yearly event means the opportune time to remember our loved ones who have gone before us. While the All Souls' Day which is observed on November 2 is really dedicated to those who have died but not yet reached heaven, it is supposed that we prefer visiting our departed brethren because we believe that they have gone into heaven and are happily watching over us.
Sadly though, the celebration of this religious tradition has indeed become commercialized and negated with the different beliefs that we integrate with the simple act of remembering those who have passed away. Firstly, we tend to draw attention to the creepy stories associated with the dead persons that we forget the real essence of praying for their eternal repose. It seems like All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day will never be complete without putting ghosts, monsters, and other scary characters into the picture.
Secondly, it has apparently become customary for most people to mark this solemn event through costume parties and trick-or-treating festivities. This Halloween concept, according to History.com, "is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints' Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows' Eve and later Halloween."
Putting on costumes and trick-or-treating is widely known to be a western tradition, which is something that we Filipinos have adapted into our own culture and tradition over the years. Personally speaking, there is nothing wrong with these activities as most of those who enjoy doing this extraordinary stuff are the cute kids who are indeed adorable in their costumes and Halloween get-ups. In fact, the yearly Halloween costume contests being held in most establishments such as malls, hotels, restaurants, and even offices become a venue for creativity and uniqueness as those fond of joining this activity have to think of new costumes every year.
What should not be forgotten though is the real essence of this annual occasion-that is, praying for our loved ones in heaven. It is found in the website Catholic Online that:
According to Catholic belief, the soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The intermediate option is purgatory, which is thought to be where most people, free of mortal sin, but still in a state of lesser (venial) sin, must go. Purgatory is necessary so that souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into heaven. Consistent with these teachings and traditions, Catholics believe that through the prayers of the faithful on Earth, the dead are cleansed of their sins so they may enter into heaven.
While we can mark this yearly event with various fun-filled activities, we always have to bear in mind that this day is not for us to party and have fun, but it is a day that we devote to celebrate the good life of those we love when they were still here with us, and most importantly, to revel on the miracle of their souls which have ascended into the eternal paradise of our Almighty Father.