Contemplation of mortality, the tying in of the death and rebirth of Nature with the death and rebirth of Man in the person of Christ, honoring those who have died, confronting fears of death . . . . there's lots of worthwhile food for thought under the costumes and candy.
Our parish does a Hallowe'en party where the kids come as their favorite saint. It makes the underlying issues more obvious, but they are there, regardless.
My reasons are many to abstain from H’ween but a key factor is this: Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
H’ween falls very short here. Im no cultist...thats all I have.
It’s a shame Catholics haven’t been so historically broad-minded about the celebration of Jewish holidays as they have been the pagan ones.