The Sacred Origins of Halloween: Understanding Hallowtide

Every October 31st, millions of people around the world celebrate Halloween with costumes, candy, and spooky decorations. But behind the modern festivities lies a rich spiritual tradition that many have forgotten. Halloween isn't just a secular holiday—it's actually the vigil of one of the most important feasts in the Catholic Church.

What Does "Halloween" Really Mean?

The word "Halloween" is a contraction of "All Hallows' Evening," with "hallow" being an old English word meaning "holy" or "saint." So Halloween literally means "the evening before All Saints' Day." Just as Christmas Eve precedes Christmas, Halloween serves as the vigil—the evening of prayer and preparation—before the Feast of All Saints on November 1st.

The Three Days of Hallowtide

Halloween marks the beginning of a sacred three-day period in the Catholic liturgical calendar known as Hallowtide. This season includes:

October 31st - All Hallows' Eve (Halloween)

The vigil that prepares hearts and minds for the celebration of the saints. Traditionally, this was a time of prayer and fasting before the feast.

November 1st - All Saints' Day

A holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church, this feast honors all the saints—both known and unknown—who have attained heaven. It's a day to celebrate the triumph of grace and the communion of saints who intercede for us.

November 2nd - All Souls' Day

This solemn day is dedicated to praying for the faithful departed who are being purified in purgatory. Catholics believe that our prayers can aid these souls on their journey to heaven, making this a day of spiritual charity and remembrance.

A Season of Sacred Connection

Together, these three days form a profound meditation on the mystery of death, eternity, and the bonds that unite the living with those who have gone before us. Hallowtide reminds us that the Church exists in three states: the Church Triumphant (the saints in heaven), the Church Suffering (souls in purgatory), and the Church Militant (the faithful on earth). During this season, the veil between these realms feels especially thin.

Reclaiming the Meaning

While modern Halloween celebrations may seem far removed from their spiritual roots, understanding the holiday's origins can deepen our appreciation for both the joy and the solemnity of the season. Whether we're lighting candles for the departed, honoring the saints who inspire us, or simply gathering with loved ones, Hallowtide invites us to remember that we are part of a much larger story—one that transcends even death itself.

So this Halloween, as you carve pumpkins or hand out candy, consider taking a moment to reflect on the holy origins of this evening and the beautiful traditions that follow in its wake.

New Page Coming to Saintly Journeys - This Week!

Draw Near Resources Page 

"Draw Near to Me, and I Will Draw Near to You"

This is where I share free resources that have helped me grow closer to Christ—and I hope they'll help you too. You'll find book recommendations, study guides, apps, journaling tools, and more. I'll be honest about what's worked well in my spiritual journey and what hasn't, so you can discover what might work best for you.

Whether you're just beginning your journey or have walked with Him for years, His Word is always calling you deeper. There's always more to discover, always more of Jesus to know.  

He's waiting—draw near.

🙏

Welcome

 

Encounter Jesus Christ

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
— Matthew 11:28-29

Welcome, dear friend.

 I'm grateful that you've found your way here to Saintly Journeys.

A Journey Together

Saintly Journeys exists for one purpose: to help you draw closer to the heart of Jesus Christ. As a lay Catholic evangelist, I've dedicated myself to sharing the timeless truths of the Gospel and the rich treasures of our Catholic faith. It is a response to the Lord's calling, echoing the Prophet Isaiah:     

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said,"Here I am! Send me." - (Isaiah 6:8). 

But more than sharing information, my prayer is that through these pages, you will experience a genuine, life-changing relationship with our Lord.

You may be a convert Catholic, like me, who is seeking to deepen your faith, someone rediscovering the Church after time away, a fellow Christian who has not committed, or perhaps exploring faith for the first time. All are invited to explore and encounter. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, Jesus is calling you by name. He knows you, loves you, and desires an intimate relationship with you.

While Saintly Journeys is rooted in the Catholic tradition, I extend a warm welcome to all Christians and seekers. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and my greatest hope is that everyone who visits will grow closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What You'll Find Here

Through Saintly Journeys, you'll discover:

• The beauty and depth of Catholic teaching
• Practical ways to grow in prayer and relationship with Christ
• Stories of the saints who have walked this path before us
• Encouragement for your daily walk with Jesus
• Resources to help you encounter Christ in the Sacraments
• A community of fellow travelers seeking the Lord

My Invitation to You

I invite you to explore, to question, to seek, and most importantly, to encounter. Jesus Christ is not a distant historical figure or a set of rules to follow—He is the living God who desires to meet you right where you are, in this very moment.

Open your heart. Take the journey. Let Christ transform your life.

May the Lord bless you abundantly as you begin or continue your saintly journey toward Him.

In Christ,
Randy Schwingle
Lay Evangelist

The Prayer Jesus Taught

 In Luke's Gospel, we witness the disciples making a simple yet profound request: "Lord, teach us to pray." How human, how relatable! Even those who walked closest to Jesus needed guidance in approaching the Father.

Jesus responds by giving us the Lord's Prayer—not as a magic formula, but as a pattern for a relationship. Notice the intimacy: "Father." Not a distant deity, but Abba, the One who knows us completely and loves us still.

The prayer Jesus teaches is beautifully balanced. It begins with God—His name, His kingdom, His will—reminding us that prayer isn't about bending God to our agenda, but aligning our hearts with His. Yet immediately, Jesus turns to our daily needs: bread, forgiveness, and protection. Nothing in our lives is too small or too mundane to bring before our Father.

The emphasis on forgiveness is striking. We ask to be forgiven "as we forgive"—a sobering reminder that receiving mercy and extending mercy are inseparable in the Christian life.

Perhaps most comforting is what this passage reveals: that we can bring our spiritual poverty to Jesus. "Teach us," the disciples say, admitting they don't have it all figured out. And Jesus doesn't scold them—He gives them exactly what they need.

When we feel unsure about how to pray, we can always return to this prayer, knowing these are the very words Jesus gave us —the perfect path into communion with our Father.

The Great Commandment: Love as the Path to Life

Today's Gospel, God asks us the same question He asked the lawyer: "What is written?" Deep down, we know. We know when we've loved poorly, when we've held back, when we've made God an afterthought and our neighbor invisible.

The pathway to life isn't complicated—but it costs everything. Will we love God with our whole heart, soul, strength, and mind? Will we love our neighbor as ourselves?

"Do this and you will live." Not someday. Not in the next life alone. Now. Today. Love is not merely the path to eternal life—it is life itself.

Join me today, and let's support one another as we go through our day, so that all of our actions will show that we love God with our whole heart. If we DO this, others may follow us and do the same. 

God Bless and Please Pray for Each Other.

A Special Prayer Request - Come Holy Spirit

I'm honored to share that starting today, October 2nd, through Sunday, October 5th, I will be serving on the Orlando Diocese Cursillo Men's 111 team as a table leader.

This three-day weekend presents a profound opportunity for men to deepen their relationship with Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and to experience His love and grace in a transformative way.

I ask for your prayers during these next three days:

Please pray for:

• The entire Cursillo team as we serve and guide
• The men attending who are opening their hearts to encounter Christ more deeply
• The Holy Spirit to work powerfully in each person's life
• Grace, wisdom, and compassion for all involved

The Cursillo movement has touched countless lives, helping men and women grow closer to God and become active disciples in their communities. It's a blessing to be part of this beautiful ministry.

Over the next few days, please lift us all up in prayer.

De Colores!

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." - Matthew 18:20