Why Halloween Is a Catholic Holiday (and How to Celebrate with Faith)

Written By Katie Miller
On Sep, 19 2025

3 minute read

When you think of Halloween, what comes to mind? Costumes, candy, spooky decorations? While those are fun parts of today’s celebrations, the roots of Halloween are deeply Catholic — and it all begins with All Hallows’ Eve.

The Catholic Roots of Halloween

“Hallow” means “holy,” and Halloween comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” the vigil of All Saints’ Day on November 1. For centuries, the Church has dedicated this feast to honor all the saints in heaven, both known and unknown, who show us how to live lives of holiness.

Vigils were common in the early Church. Catholics would prepare for great feasts with prayer, fasting, and celebration the evening before. All Hallow’s Eve was no different — it was a time to recall the reality of heaven, pray for the souls in purgatory, and rejoice that Christ’s light conquers the darkness of sin and death.

Over time, as cultures blended, All Hallows’ Eve picked up different traditions — costumes, bonfires, and even playful references to death. But at its heart, Halloween is a Catholic holiday. It reminds us that this world is passing and that our true home is with God and His saints.

Reclaiming Halloween as Catholics

For Catholic families and communities, Halloween can be more than just trick-or-treating. It can be a chance to:

Teach children and teens about the communion of saints.
Remember that death is not the end — it’s the doorway to eternal life.
Celebrate faith with joy and creativity.

That’s where Catholic traditions, like pumpkin carving with Christian symbols, come in. Instead of only carving spooky faces, families and students can let their pumpkins shine with the Cross, Marian symbols, or saints’ emblems — reminders that Christ is the light in the darkness.

Celebrate All Hallows’ Eve with Catholic Pumpkin Carving Stencils

At Newman Connection, our mission is to keep Catholic students connected to their faith, especially during the transition from high school to college, the military, or the workforce. We know that when young people feel needed and known in the Church, they are more likely to grow in faith and stay connected to Christ and His people.

Celebrating All Hallows’ Eve as Catholics isn’t just about honoring tradition — it’s about building community and reminding students that their faith is something to be lived joyfully in every season. Whether parents carve pumpkins with their teens, college students gather with friends, or Newman Centers hosts a Halloween event, these moments keep faith alive and visible.

This year, reclaim Halloween by celebrating its Catholic roots, and have some fun while you’re at it! Newman Connection has created free Catholic pumpkin carving stencils you can download to bring a faith-filled twist to your Halloween celebrations.