Italian dioceses exchanges Halloween for vigil invoking Holy Spirit

Rome, Italy, Nov 1, 2007 / 08:51 am

Catholics in the Italian Diocese of Prato are convinced that it is not proper for Christians to celebrate Halloween and that the night could be an occasion for Satanic acts. Therefore they met at a local church for Eucharistic adoration instead.

According to the organizers, it was more than an “alternative” to Halloween, as those present invoked “the only spirit that does not inspire fear or terror but rather love: the Holy Spirit.

The New Horizons Community and the Agape Community organized the vigil, which was open to anyone “who wishes to spend a minute in prayer.”  One group of people stayed in prayer all night.

Two priests also offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the entire vigil, which concluded the following morning with All Saints’ Day Mass.

Organizers said the event was intended to respond to Halloween, which “poses serious problems from a social and educational, as well as religious, point of view.”