Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback
Background Image

Trick or Treat Is Harmless Fun

Question:

Is it against Catholic teaching to pass out candy to children on Halloween night?

Answer:

The Church has placed no restrictions on the celebration of Halloween. Contrary to what many people think, All Hollow’s Eve (Halloween) is not an evil, pagan festival. It’s actually a centuries-old Christian feast celebrated on the evening preceding All Saints Day (November 1) in commemoration of all the saints in heaven, known and unknown. In preparation for the evening vigil, people would fast and pray and celebrate Christ’s victory over death.

Although the secularized version of Halloween has lost the focus on the true meaning of this feast, activities such as passing out candy, dressing up in costumes, carving pumpkins, and all the other accoutrements of Halloween should not be viewed as evil. You are free to take part in Halloween festivities or not. But if you do, it’s good to keep in mind that the Church calls us to act as witnesses of the gospel and to guard against committing any offenses against truth.

The duty of Christians to take part in the life of the Church impels them to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. This witness is a transmission of the faith in words and deeds (Catechism 2472).

Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us